Protein compositions and consumable products thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are compositions with enhanced protein content, proteins with high solubility, protein combinations and methods for the preparation thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to International Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/US2020/041720, filed Jul. 10, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/873,154, filed Jul. 11, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/873,159, filed Jul. 11, 2019; the entire contents of the aforementioned patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Jul. 10, 2020, is named 49160-714.601_ST25.txt and is 95,504 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND

Proteins are important dietary nutrients. They can serve as a fuel source or as sources of amino acids, including the essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body. The daily recommended intake of protein for healthy adults is 10% to 35% of a person's total calorie needs, and currently the majority of protein intake for most humans is from animal-based sources. In addition, athletes and bodybuilders may rely upon increased protein consumption to build muscle mass and improve performance. With the world population growth and the coinciding growth in global food demand, there is a need to provide alternative sustainable, non-animal-based sources of proteins as useful source of protein for daily diet, dietary supplementation and sports nutrition.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The rOVD comprises at least one glycosylated asparagine residue and the rOVD is substantially devoid of N-linked mannosylation.

In some embodiments, each glycosylated asparagine comprises a single N-acetylglucosamine. The rOVD may comprise at least three glycosylated asparagine residues. In some cases, the rOVD is a secreted form of the rOVD protein. In various embodiments, the composition is a powder. The composition may have a protein content of at least 30% rOVD protein, at least 40% rOVD protein, at least 50% rOVD protein, at least 60% rOVD protein, at least 70% rOVD protein, at least 80% rOVD protein, at least 85% rOVD protein, at least 90% rOVD protein, or at least 95% rOVD protein on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis. In some cases, the powder is capable of being dissolved in a liquid.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The composition is a powder formulated for human or animal consumption and the composition has a protein content of at least 70% rOVD protein, at least 80% rOVD protein, at least 85% rOVD protein, at least 90% rOVD protein, or at least 95% rOVD protein on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis.

The powder may comprise less than 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 6%, 5%, 3%, 2% or 1% moisture on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis. The powder may comprise less than 30%, 27%, 25%, 22%, 20%, 17%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 5%, 3% or 1% free carbohydrate content. In some embodiments, the powder is capable of being dissolved in a liquid.

In embodiments, a composition comprises one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of a flavoring, a coloring agent, a sweetener, an amino acid, a protein, an acidulant, a preservative, and ash. In some cases, the composition comprises less than 5%, 4.5%, 4%, 3.5%, 3%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.5%, 1%, 0.75%, 0.5%, 0.25% or 0.1% ash. The amino acid may be selected from tryptophan, isoleucine, leucine, and valine, or a combination thereof.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The composition is in a solid form formulated for human or animal consumption, wherein the rOVD provides protein fortification to the composition and at least one additional feature selected from the group consisting of mouthfeel, texture, hardness, stability to heat treatment, and stability to pH.

In various embodiments, the rOVD comprises at least one asparagine residue linked to N-acetyl glucosamine and the rOVD is substantially devoid of N-linked mannosylation. The concentration of rOVD may be greater than about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, or about 25% on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis. In some cases, the rOVD does not substantially alter the visible appearance or mouthfeel of the solid consumable composition as compared to a solid consumable composition lacking rOVD; the rOVD does not substantially alter the visible appearance or mouthfeel of the solid consumable composition as compared to a solid consumable composition containing whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD; the rOVD does not substantially affect a sensory rating for odor and/or for taste as compared to a solid consumable composition lacking rOVD; and/or the rOVD does not substantially affect a sensory rating for odor and/or for taste as compared to a comparable composition containing whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD. In some embodiments, the solid consumable composition is a snack bar, a protein bar, a nutrition bar, an energy bar, or a protein supplement. In some cases, the solid consumable composition comprises one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of a flavoring, a coloring agent, a sweetener, an amino acid, a protein, an acidulant, a preservative, and ash.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The composition is a liquid formulated for human or animal consumption, wherein the rOVD provides protein fortification to the composition and at least one additional feature selected from the group consisting of solubility, mouthfeel, stability to heat treatment, and stability to pH.

In some cases, the composition has a protein content comprising at least 15% rOVD, at least 20% rOVD protein, at least 30% rOVD protein, or at least 40% rOVD protein on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis. The composition may have a protein content comprising at least 5% rOVD, and in which the liquid consumable composition is substantially optically clear. In embodiments, the composition has an optical clarity greater than a comparable composition containing whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD. In some cases, the rOVD does not substantially alter the visible appearance or mouthfeel of the liquid consumable composition as compared to a liquid consumable composition lacking rOVD; the rOVD does not substantially alter the visible appearance or mouthfeel of the liquid consumable composition as compared to a comparable composition containing whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD; the rOVD does not substantially affect a sensory rating for odor and/or for taste as compared to a liquid consumable composition lacking rOVD; and/or the rOVD does not substantially affect a sensory rating for odor and/or for taste as compared to a comparable composition containing whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD. The rOVD may remain substantially soluble after the liquid consumable composition has been heated to a temperature of between about 72° C. and about 121° C. In some cases, the rOVD has a greater solubility, optical clarity or both solubility and optical clarity in the liquid following a heat treatment than the stability of whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD. In some embodiments, the heat treatment comprises exposure of the liquid to a temperature of between about 72° C. and about 121° C. The rOVD may have a solubility in the liquid greater than the solubility of whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD. In some cases, the liquid consumable composition has a pH of between about 2.0 and about 8.0.

In some embodiments, a solid form formulated for human or animal consumption or a liquid formulated for human or animal consumption may comprise one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of a flavoring, a coloring agent, a sweetener, an amino acid, a protein, an acidulant and a preservative. In various embodiments, the amino acid is selected from tryptophan, isoleucine, leucine, and valine, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the protein is a lysozyme protein, e.g., an egg white lysozyme (OVL). The ratio of rOVD to OVL may between about 60% rOVD:40% OVL and about 82% rOVD:18% OVL. The lysozyme may be a recombinant lysozyme protein. In some cases, the protein and/or the amino acid provides an improved amino acid balance to the solid form or the liquid. In embodiments, a protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) is equal to or greater than about 0.75, e.g., greater than or equal to about 0.8, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95 or the PDCAAS is about or is 1.0. The liquid consumable composition may comprise rOVD and OVL and the proteins are soluble and composition is optically clear.

In some cases, the liquid consumable composition is a beverage selected from the group consisting of a juice, a broth, a soup, a soda, a soft drink, a flavored water, a protein water, a fortified water, a carbonated water, a nutritional drink, an energy drink, a sports drink, a recovery drink, a heated drink, a coffee-based drink, a tea-based drink, a plant-based milk, a milk based drink, a non-dairy, plant based mild drink, infant formula drink, a meal replacement drink. In some embodiments, the beverage comprises carbonation.

A liquid consumable composition may be a syrup comprising between 20% rOVD protein and at least 60% rOVD protein on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis.

In some cases, the liquid consumable composition is an emulsion, e.g., a sauce, a gravy, or a salad dressing.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The composition is in a semi-solid form formulated for human or animal consumption, in which the rOVD provides at least one additional feature selected from the group consisting of mouthfeel, texture, hardness, stability to heat treatment, and stability to pH.

In various embodiments, the semi-solid consumable composition is a gummy, candy, jelly, syrup, gel, a gelled preparation. In some cases, the rOVD does not substantially alter the visible appearance or mouthfeel of the semi-solid consumable composition as compared to a semi-solid consumable composition lacking rOVD; the rOVD does not substantially alter the visible appearance or mouthfeel of the semi-solid consumable composition as compared to a semi-solid consumable composition containing whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD; the rOVD does not substantially affect a sensory rating for odor and/or for taste as compared to a semi-solid consumable composition lacking rOVD; and/or the rOVD does not substantially affect a sensory rating for odor and/or for taste as compared to a comparable composition containing whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD. The semi-solid consumable composition may have an optical clarity greater than a comparable composition containing whey protein, soy protein, or pea protein at the same concentration as the rOVD.

The semi-solid consumable composition may comprise one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of a flavoring, a coloring agent, a sweetener, an amino acid, a protein, an acidulant, and a preservative. The protein and/or the amino acid may provide an improved amino acid balance to the semi-solid consumable composition. In some cases, the amino acid is selected from tryptophan, isoleucine, leucine, and valine, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the protein and/or the amino acid provides an improved amino acid balance to the semi-solid consumable composition. The protein and/or the amino acid may provide an improved amino acid balance to the semi-solid consumable composition. In some cases, the amino acid is selected from tryptophan, isoleucine, leucine, and valine, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the protein is a lysozyme protein, e.g., the lysozyme protein is an egg white lysozyme (OVL). The ratio of rOVD to OVL may be between about 60% rOVD:40% OVL and about 82% rOVD:18% OVL. The lysozyme may be a recombinant lysozyme protein. In various embodiments, a protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) is equal to or greater than about 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95 or the PDCAAS is about or is 1.0.

In some cases, the rOVD comprises an rOVD that has been exposed to an oxidizing agent or an oxygen-generating agent. In various embodiments, the oxygen-generating agent is hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, bubbled oxygen, activated chlorine dioxide, or ozone.

In some cases, the rOVD comprises an amino acid sequence that is naturally found in an avian species, e.g., chicken, quail, turkey, turkey vulture, hummingbird, duck, ostrich, goose, gull, guineafowl, pheasant, or emu, and any combination thereof.

The rOVD may comprise an amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID No. 1-44 or an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity with one of SEQ ID No. 1-44.

In embodiments, the rOVD is substantially a full-length rOVD amino acid sequence.

In some cases, the rOVD provides protein fortification to the composition.

In some embodiments, the rOVD is produced by a microbial host cell, e.g., In some cases, the microbial host cell is a yeast, a filamentous fungus, or a bacterium. The microbial host cell may be a Pichia species, a Saccharomyces species, a Trichoderma species, a Pseudomonas species or an E. coli species. The microbial host cell may be Pichia pastoris or Komagataella phaffii.

Another aspect is a consumable composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The rOVD provides protein fortification to the composition; in which the rOVD provides a solubility that is comparable or higher than a native ovomucoid protein.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a consumable powder protein composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The protein content of the composition is greater than 70%; in which the composition comprises less than 2% ash, less than 20% carbohydrates, and less than 1% fat by acid hydrolysis on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a consumable composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The composition has a protein content comprising at least 15% rOVD protein on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a consumable composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). The rOVD provides protein fortification to the composition; in which the rOVD provides a water retention capacity higher than a native ovomucoid protein.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a beverage composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD) and at least one consumable liquid, in which the rOVD is substantially soluble in the composition, in which the beverage composition is substantially optically clear, and in which the concentration of rOVD is greater than about 5% on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis. The beverage is selected from the group consisting of a juice, a broth, a soup, a soda, a soft drink, a flavored water, a protein water, a fortified water, a carbonated water, a nutritional drink, an energy drink, a sports drink, a recovery drink, a heated drink, a coffee-based drink, a tea-based drink, a plant-based milk, a milk based drink, a non-dairy, plant based mild drink, infant formula drink, a meal replacement drink. The beverage may comprise carbonation.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of preparing a consumable food preparation. The method comprising the steps of: providing a recombinant OVD (rOVD) produced by a microbial host; in which the rOVD comprises N-linked glycosylation and in which rOVD is substantially devoid of N-linked mannosylation; producing a preparation by combining or mixing the rOVD with at least one consumable ingredient; in which the rOVD provides protein fortification to the composition and at least one additional feature selected from the group consisting of solubility, optical clarity, mouthfeel, texture, hardness, stability to heat treatment and stability to pH.

In various embodiments, the rOVD comprises one or more glycosylated asparagine residues, in which each glycosylated asparagine residue comprises a single N-acetylglucosamine. In some cases, the rOVD is present in the consumable food preparation in or in about 1%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39% or 40% on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of the preparation.

The method may further comprise heat-treating the preparation, e.g., exposing the preparation to a temperature between about 72° C. and about 121° C. The heat-treating may comprise hot fill, pasteurization, retort, boiling, baking, broiling or grilling. In embodiments, the preparation has a pH between about 2 and about 6.

In some cases, the method further comprises expressing rOVD protein in the microbial host, e.g., a yeast, a filamentous fungus, or a bacterium. In some embodiments, the microbial host is a pichia species, a saccharomyces species, a Trichoderma species, a pseudomonas species or an E. coli species. In some cases, the microbial host is Pichia pastoris or Komagataella phaffii.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises expressing an enzyme in the microbial host having an activity to remove a glycan by cleaving within a chitobiose core of high mannose and hybrid oligosaccharides on an N-linked glycoprotein. In various embodiments, the enzyme comprises EndoH, an OCH1-EndoH fusion or an active fragment of EndoH.

In some cases, the rOVD is secreted from the microbial host, and in which the method further comprises isolating the secreted rOVD prior to combining or mixing the rOVD with the at least one consumable ingredient.

The method may further comprise separating the secreted rOVD from the microbial host and exposing the rOVD to an oxidizing agent or an oxygen-generating agent, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, activated chlorine dioxide, bubbled oxygen, or ozone.

In some cases, the method further comprises drying, powdering, and/or spray-drying the rOVD.

In various embodiments, preparation is suitable for human consumption and/or for animal consumption.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a consumable composition produced by a herein-disclosed method.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a recombinant ovomucoid (rOVD) protein comprising N-linked glycosylation, in which the N-linked glycosylation comprises N-acetyl glucosamine and substantially lacks mannose residues.

In some cases, the rOVD further comprises O-linked glycosylation. At least one asparagine residue of the OVD is glycosylated and has a single N-acetyl glucosamine residue. In embodiments, at least three asparagine residues of rOVD have a single N-acetyl glucosamine residue. The rOVD protein may comprise an rOVD that has been exposed to an oxidizing agent or an oxygen-generating agent, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, bubbled oxygen, activated chlorine dioxide, or ozone.

Yet another aspect is a composition comprising the rOVD protein according to any herein disclosed aspect or embodiment.

In some embodiments, the composition is in powdered form and in which the protein content of the composition is about 70% or greater on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis. In some cases, the rOVD protein is present in the composition at about 80% or greater on a weight/weight basis and/or a weight per total volume of composition basis.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of making an rOVD protein. The method comprising: producing rOVD protein in a eukaryotic host cell, in which the rOVD protein is secreted from the host cell and in which the host cell expresses an enzyme having an activity that removes mannose residues from N-acetyl glucosamine linkage; separating the rOVD protein from the host cell; exposing the rOVD protein to an oxidizing agent or an oxygen-generating agent; and separating rOVD from the oxidizing agent or oxygen-generating agent.

In some embodiments, the enzyme comprises EndoH, an OCH1-EndoH fusion, or an active fragment of EndoH. In some cases, the oxidizing agent or oxygen-generating agent comprises hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, bubbled oxygen, activated chlorine dioxide, or ozone. In some embodiments, the host cell is a yeast or fungal cell.

In some cases, the host cell is a Pichia sp.

In any of the herein disclosed methods or compositions, the rOVD may be derived from an avian species.

In any of the herein disclosed methods or compositions, the rOVD may comprise an amino acid sequence of a chicken OVD, a goose OVD protein, a hummingbird OVD, or a turkey vulture OVD.

In any of the herein disclosed methods or compositions, the rOVD may comprise an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 1-44 and an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity with SEQ ID No. 1-44.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure. The drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Any description herein concerning a specific composition and/or method apply to and may be used for any other specific composition and/or method as disclosed herein. Additionally, any composition disclosed herein is applicable to any herein-disclosed method. In other words, any aspect or embodiment described herein can be combined with any other aspect or embodiment as disclosed herein.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (also “figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which:

FIG. 1A illustrates the vector constructs used for the expression of rOVD.

FIG. 1B illustrates a comparison in the glycosylation pattern of native ovomucoid and a recombinant ovomucoid produced in P. pastoris and according to the present disclosure. Shown is a lack of the complex branched glycosylation (including a lack of mannose residues) on the recombinant ovomucoid when produced in a strain of P. pastoris comprising endoglycosidases.

FIG. 1C illustrates the glycosylation patterns of the recombinant OVD produced by P. pastoris without an endoglycosidase treatment. rOVD thus produced have complex branched glycosylation patterns.

FIG. 1D compares the molecular weight of native OVD, native OVD treated with an endoglycosidase, and recombinant OVD samples.

FIG. 2 illustrates rOVD solution properties with 4.23% w/v rOVD.

FIG. 3 illustrates rOVD solution clarity at about pH 4 and about pH 6 with 30% w/v rOVD after different heat treatments, measured using absorbance at 600 nm.

FIG. 4 illustrates rOVD solution clarity after different heat treatments with 30% w/v rOVD in deionized water.

FIG. 5A illustrates rOVD solution (9% w/v) appearance at pH 2.5, 4, and 6 after different heat treatment conditions.

FIG. 5B are graphs showing absorbance of rOVD solution (9% w/v) at 600 nm after different heat treatment conditions at pH 2.5, 4 and 6. In each data pair, data in left columns relate to rOVD and data in right columns relates to Buffer.

FIG. 6A illustrates rOVD solubility in different beverages.

FIG. 6B is a graph showing absorbance of rOVD solution at 600 nm in different beverages. In each data pair, data in left columns relate to beverage and data in right columns relates to beverages with rOVD.

FIG. 7 illustrates, left to right, a comparison of samples at room temperature: OVL+OVD with OVD control at pH 2.5, 4, 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates, left to right, a comparison of Pasteurized (72° C.) samples: OVL+OVD with OVD control at pH 2.5, 4, 6.

FIG. 9 illustrates, left to right, a comparison of Hot Fill (85° C.) samples of OVL+OVD with OVD control at pH 2.5, 4, 6.

FIG. 10 illustrates, left to right, a comparison of retorted (121° C.) samples of OVL+OVD with OVD control at pH 2.5, 4, 6.

FIG. 11 illustrates, left to right, a comparison of Pasteurized (72° C.) samples of OVL control with OVD control at pH 2.5, 4, 6.

FIG. 12 illustrates, left to right, a comparison of Hot Fill (85° C.) samples of OVL control with OVD control at pH 2.5, 4, 6.

FIG. 13 illustrates, left to right, a comparison of Retorted (121° C.) samples of OVL control with OVD control at pH 2.5, 4, 6.

FIG. 14 illustrates, left to right, a comparison of rOVL+rOVD and rOVD samples at room temperature and after different heat treatments at pH 2.5, 4, 6.

FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B illustrate comparisons of clarity for whey isolate (WPI1 and WPI3, 9% w/v) and rOVD solutions (9% w/v) at pH 2.5, 4 and 6.

FIG. 16 illustrates protein water samples with 5% protein, from left to right, with whey protein isolate (neutral), whey protein isolate (acidic), nOVD, rOVD, 4%, pea protein (acidic), and soy protein.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B illustrate samples of orange juice, from left to right, with 15% whey protein, 15% nOVD, 15% rOVD, 20% rOVD, 30% rOVD, or (no protein) control respectively. FIG. 17A: solution at time 0 hours and FIG. 17B: after 48 hours storage at 4° C.

FIG. 18A illustrates jelly samples, from left to right, control (without protein supplementation), supplemented with 20% rOVD, supplemented with 20% nOVD and supplemented with 20% whey protein.

FIG. 18B illustrates comparison of jelly samples with no protein (control), supplemented with 20% rOVD and supplemented with 20% whey protein.

FIG. 18C to FIG. 18E illustrate jelly samples supplemented with 20% whey protein, supplemented with 16% gelatin and supplemented with 20% gelatin.

FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B illustrate rOVD-H and rOVD-T samples solubilized in water at various concentrations.

FIG. 20 illustrates the comparison in immunoreactivity for rOVD samples, native ovomucoid from chicken egg white (nOVD) and deglycosylated native ovomucoid (nOVD+PNGaseF).

FIG. 21 indicates the color of an rOVD solution without (left) and with (right) hydrogen peroxide treatment.

FIG. 22 illustrates a comparison of film formation using various protein samples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed.

Provided herein are compositions and methods of making compositions for non-animal-based sources of proteins as useful source of consumable protein for ingestion by an animal, including a human, such as for daily diet, dietary supplementation, consumer food and beverage, and nutrition.

Provided herein are consumable compositions comprising ovomucoid (OVD). Such consumable compositions can be used in a food product, drink product, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or as an ingredient for a final product. In embodiments herein, the consumable composition is in a liquid form or a semi-solid form. In embodiments herein, the consumable composition is provided in a powdered form; this powder may be used to produce a liquid, solid, or semi-solid consumable composition. Preferably, the OVD in such consumable compositions is made recombinantly, and may be referred to herein as a recombinant OVD (rOVD).

Unless indicated otherwise, the term OVD includes both native OVD (nOVD) and rOVD. The nOVD or rOVD in the consumable compositions herein is provided in concentrations that both increase the protein content of the consumable composition and also maintain one or more additional characteristics such as high clarity, high solubility, reduced turbidity, or substantial sensory neutrality.

The use of rOVD in any of the consumable compositions herein allows for a non-animal-based source of protein, while providing additional features such as solubility, clarity, hardness, texture, mouthfeel, compatibility with heat treatment, compatibility with pH ranges and maintaining a consumer-favorable sensory profile. Various embodiments of such compositions, methods of making them, and methods of using them are provided herein.

In some embodiments, the compositions and methods for making compositions herein increase the protein content of a consumable, and also provide additional features such as compatibility with other ingredients (such as, for example, compatibility with gluten, vitamins, minerals, and carbonation), coloration, smell, taste and compatibility with food and beverage preparation and/or storage conditions.

Native ovomucoid (nOVD), such as isolated from a chicken or other avian egg, has a highly complex branched form of glycosylation. The glycosylation pattern comprises N-linked glycan structures such as N-acetylglucosamine units and N-linked mannose units. See, e.g., FIG. 1B (left-hand column). In some cases, the rOVD for use in a herein disclosed consumable composition and produced using the methods described herein has a glycosylation pattern which is different than the glycosylation pattern of nOVD. For example, when rOVD is produced in a Pichia sp., the protein may be highly glycosylated. FIG. 1C illustrates the glycosylation patterns of rOVD produced by P. pastoris, showing a complex branched glycosylation pattern. In some embodiments of the compositions and methods herein, rOVD is treated such that the glycosylation pattern is modified from that of nOVD and also modified as compared to rOVD produced by a Pichia sp. without such treatment. In some cases, the rOVD has no glycosylation. In other cases, the rOVD has reduced glycosylation. In some cases, the rOVD is modified by N-acetylglucosamine at one or more asparagine residues of the protein and lacks or is substantially devoid of N-linked mannosylation. See, e.g., FIG. 1B (right hand column). The changes in glycosylation described herein may lead to an increase in the solubility and clarity of rOVD as compared to other forms of protein such as whey proteins, soy proteins, pea proteins, and nOVD. The modifications in glycosylation of rOVD may lead to a change in the nitrogen to carbon ratio of the protein, such that reducing or removing substantially all of the mannose residues, the nitrogen to carbon ratio is increased (such as compared to nOVD or to rOVD produced without the modification to the glycosylation pattern).

In some embodiments, the composition is a consumable food product. In some embodiments, the consumable food product is a finished product. In some embodiments, the composition is an ingredient of a finished product, e.g., a powder comprising rOVD or consisting essentially of rOVD.

As used herein, the term “consumable food composition” refers to a composition, which comprises an isolated protein and may be consumed by an animal, including but not limited to humans and other mammals. Consumable food compositions include food products, beverage products, dietary supplements, food additives, and nutraceuticals, as non-limiting examples.

Consumable food compositions also include compositions as an ingredient of a food or beverage or a product ingested as part of an animal diet.

Since the rOVD of the present disclosure is not obtained from an animal source, a consumable composition comprising the rOVD is considered vegetarian and/or vegan.

As used herein, a “finished product” refers to a consumable food composition directed to or suitable itself as a food or beverage for animal consumption. As used herein, an “ingredient” or “component” in reference to a consumable food composition refers to a composition that is used with other ingredient(s) or component(s) to create a finished product.

Compositions with rOVD

Provided herein are consumable food compositions and methods of making such compositions that increase the protein content of a consumable food composition through the addition of a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD). In some embodiments, rOVD is added to a consumable food composition to increase the protein content, such as for added nutrition. In some embodiments, rOVD is present in the consumable food composition between about 1% and about 40% on a weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v) of composition basis. For example, in a composition of 100 ml, rOVD is present at 30 g and the rOVD is thus at a 30% concentration. In some embodiments, the concentration of rOVD is or is about 1%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39% or 40% on a w/w and/or w/v of composition basis. In some embodiments, the rOVD is present at a concentration of or of about 1-5%, 5-10%, 10-15%, 15-20%, 20-25%, 25-30% or rOVD is present concentration greater than 5%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39% or 40% w/w and/or w/v.

A consumable product can include one or more other proteins, such as a non-OVD protein or a non-recombinant protein. The rOVD can increase amount of protein content in a consumable product, and/or it can also increase solubility of the one or more other proteins. For example, the consumable composition can include a whey protein, a pea protein, a soy protein, an almond protein, an oat protein, a flax seed protein, a vegetable protein, or an egg-white protein. In some cases, the one or more other proteins can comprise OVD having an amino acid sequence naturally found in an avian or a reptile.

In some embodiments, the compositions and methods for making compositions increase the protein content, and provide solubility of the protein in the composition, as well as maintain or not substantially reduce the clarity of the composition. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods for making compositions increase the protein content, and provide solubility and maintain clarity, while not adversely affecting the stability, or one or more sensory qualities of the composition.

In some embodiments, the consumable food compositions and methods for making consumable food compositions comprise rOVD and the rOVD increases the protein content of the consumable food composition and the rOVD is substantially soluble in the consumable food composition. The consumable food composition may be a finished product or an ingredient for making a finished product, e.g., a powdered rOVD composition.

rOVD protein may be used on its own or in combination with other components to form a composition. In some embodiments, a composition may contain about or at least about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% protein, e.g., rOVD, by weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). In some cases, a composition described herein may contain up to about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% protein, e.g., rOVD, by w/w or w/v.

In some embodiments, a composition described herein contains total protein at a concentration of about or at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 13.2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 g total protein per 100 mL liquid (e.g., water). In some cases, a composition described herein contains total protein at a concentration of about or at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 13.2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 g total protein per 100 g composition (e.g., powder).

In some embodiments, a composition described herein contains total protein at a concentration of about or at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7 or 5 g total protein per 100 mL liquid (e.g., water). In some cases, a composition described herein contains total protein at a concentration of about or at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7 or 5 g total protein per 100 g composition (e.g., powder).

In some embodiments, the rOVD consumable composition is a liquid composition. In such cases, the concentration of rOVD in the liquid composition may be between 0.1% to 40%. The concentration of rOVD in the liquid composition may be at least 0.1%. The concentration of rOVD in the liquid composition may be at most 40%. The concentration of rOVD in the liquid composition may be from 0.1% to 1%, 0.1% to 5%, 0.1% to 10%, 0.1% to 15%, 0.1% to 20%, 0.1% to 25%, 0.1% to 30%, 0.1% to 35%, 0.1% to 40%, 1% to 5%, 1% to 10%, 1% to 15%, 1% to 20%, 1% to 25%, 1% to 30%, 1% to 35%, 1% to 40%, 5% to 10%, 5% to 15%, 5% to 20%, 5% to 25%, 5% to 30%, 5% to 35%, 5% to 40%, 10% to 15%, 10% to 20%, 10% to 25%, 10% to 30%, 10% to 35%, 10% to 40%, 15% to 20%, 15% to 25%, 15% to 30%, 15% to 35%, 15% to 40%, 20% to 25%, 20% to 30%, 20% to 35%, 20% to 40%, 25% to 30%, 25% to 35%, 25% to 40%, 30% to 35%, 30% to 40%, or 35% to 40% in weight per total volume (w/v). The concentration of rOVD in the liquid composition may be about 0.1%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the liquid composition may be at least 0.1%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% or 35% w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the liquid composition may be at most 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% or 40% w/v.

In some embodiments, the rOVD consumable composition is a solid composition. In such cases, the concentration of rOVD in the solid composition may be between 0.1% to 70%. The concentration of rOVD in the solid composition may be at least 0.1%. The concentration of rOVD in the solid composition may be at most 70%. The concentration of rOVD in the solid composition may be 0.1% to 1%, 0.1% to 10%, 0.1% to 20%, 0.1% to 30%, 0.1% to 40%, 0.1% to 50%, 0.1% to 60%, 0.1% to 70%, 1% to 10%, 1% to 20%, 1% to 30%, 1% to 40%, 1% to 50%, 1% to 60%, 1% to 70%, 10% to 20%, 10% to 30%, 10% to 40%, 10% to 50%, 10% to 60%, 10% to 70%, 20% to 30%, 20% to 40%, 20% to 50%, 20% to 60%, 20% to 70%, 30% to 40%, 30% to 50%, 30% to 60%, 30% to 70%, 40% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 40% to 70%, 50% to 60%, 50% to 70%, or 60% to 70% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). The concentration of rOVD in the solid composition may be 0.1%, 1%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 70% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the solid composition may be at least 0.1%, 1%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or 60% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the solid composition may be at most 1%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 70% w/w or w/v.

In some embodiments, the rOVD consumable composition is a powdered composition. In such cases, the concentration of rOVD in the powder composition may be between 15% to 99% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). The concentration of rOVD in the powder composition may be at least 15% w/w or w/v. In embodiments, the concentration of rOVD in the powder composition may be at most 99% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the powder composition may be 15% to 30%, 15% to 45%, 15% to 60%, 15% to 75%, 15% to 80%, 15% to 85%, 15% to 90%, 15% to 95%, 15% to 99%, 30% to 45%, 30% to 60%, 30% to 75%, 30% to 80%, 30% to 85%, 30% to 90%, 30% to 95%, 30% to 99%, 45% to 60%, 45% to 75%, 45% to 80%, 45% to 85%, 45% to 90%, 45% to 95%, 45% to 99%, 60% to 75%, 60% to 80%, 60% to 85%, 60% to 90%, 60% to 95%, 60% to 99%, 75% to 80%, 75% to 85%, 75% to 90%, 75% to 95%, 75% to 99%, 80% to 85%, 80% to 90%, 80% to 95%, 80% to 99%, 85% to 90%, 85% to 95%, 85% to 99%, 90% to 95%, 90% to 99%, or 95% to 99% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the powder composition may be about 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the powder composition may be at least 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the powder composition may be at most 30%, 45%, 60%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% w/w or w/v.

In some embodiments, the rOVD consumable composition is a concentrated syrup composition. In such cases, the concentration of rOVD in the syrup composition may be between 10% to 60% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). The concentration of rOVD in the syrup may be at least 10% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the syrup may be at most 60% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the syrup may be 10% to 20%, 10% to 30%, 10% to 40%, 10% to 50%, 10% to 60%, 20% to 30%, 20% to 40%, 20% to 50%, 20% to 60%, 30% to 40%, 30% to 50%, 30% to 60%, 40% to 50%, 40% to 60%, or 50% to 60% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the syrup may be about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the syrup may be at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVD in the syrup may be at most 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% w/w or w/v. The syrup may include any solvent, e.g., water and juice.

Solubility and Clarity

Provided herein, in particular, are compositions of OVD where the OVD protein remains soluble in the composition. In some embodiments of any composition described herein, the proteins are fully soluble at a protein concentration between the lowest amounts of rOVD (e.g., 0.1 g or less) and in increasing amounts up to and including about 30 or 40 grams of rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution. In some embodiments of any composition described herein, the proteins are fully soluble at a concentration of about 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 g, total OVD protein per 100 mL volume, for example when formulated in a liquid such as water. In some embodiments of any composition described herein, the proteins are fully soluble at a concentration of about 15, about 20, about 25, about 30, or about 40 g, total OVD protein per 100 mL volume, for example when formulated in a liquid such as water. In the compositions herein, the OVD may be native OVD or a recombinant OVD. In some embodiments, OVD is an isolated recombinant protein. In some embodiments, OVD is rOVD with modified glycosylation, such as having one or more asparagine residues modified by N-acetylglucosamine and substantially devoid of N-linked mannosylation.

Solubility of rOVD may be measured by a variety of techniques including visual detection and measuring absorbance of the solution at a wavelength of 600 nm (D600). In some embodiments, solubilized protein composition described herein have absorbance less than 1 (<1) as measured using 600 nm wavelength. In some embodiments, solubilized rOVD compositions described herein have an observed measured transmittance at 600 nm of greater than about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%. In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD to a composition does not change or only slightly changes the OD600 measurement as compared to the composition without rOVD.

In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD to a composition may increase the OD600 measurement as compared to the composition without rOVD and the increase is less than what would be seen with the addition of another protein, such as whey protein or a native OVD added to the composition in the same amount.

In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD to a composition has a solubility better than whey protein or native OVD, when compared at the same protein concentration and under equivalent conditions (such as pH and temperature treatment). In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD to a composition has a solubility better than whey protein or native OVD when compared at the same protein concentration and the composition is a consumable food composition such as an ingredient or a finished product.

“Clear” or “clarity” as used herein refers to a lack of turbidity. Clarity may be assessed by visual observation, including by comparison to a solution that has no protein included. Such comparisons can be made by machine, by an individual or by a panel of testers, e.g., testers trained in the art of detecting clarity. Clarity of a solution can be tested by a panel of (at least 3, 5, 7, 10, or 12 individuals) or people skilled at such tests. Preferably, at least a majority of testers may be unable to visibly differentiate the rOVD composition from a solution comprising no protein, or a different protein at the same concentration.

In some embodiments, the rOVD compositions exhibit improved clarity as compared to composition with other compositions having a different protein at an equivalent concentration, such as a composition containing pea protein, whey isolates or whey protein, native egg white proteins (e.g., nOVD), or whole egg white. In some embodiments, at least a majority or more of testers may be unable to visibly differentiate the rOVD added to a composition from a solution comprising no protein.

A clear solution may be colored or may be colorless. In some embodiments, a solubilized rOVD protein in a composition may have a lack of color as measured by less than 0.15 absorbance at wavelengths between 350 nm and 850 nm. In some embodiments, a solubilized rOVD protein in a composition may provide a color such as yellow, green or brown or shades thereof to a consumable food composition. In some cases, rOVD and/or the solubilized rOVD protein may be treated with an oxidizing agent or oxygen generating agent to modify the color of the solution to a lighter or less intense color.

In some embodiments, a composition of rOVD in solution, such as in a liquid consumable food composition, is essentially clear at a protein concentration between the lowest amounts of rOVD (e.g., 0.1 g) and in increasing amounts up to and including about 30 grams of rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution. In some embodiments, a composition of rOVD in solution, such as in a liquid consumable food composition, is essentially clear at a high protein concentration of about 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 grams of rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution. In some embodiments, an rOVD composition is essentially clear with at least about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution (e.g., such as in 100 mL of water).

In some embodiments, an rOVD composition has a clarity better than whey protein, such as whey protein isolate or whey protein concentrate, when compared at the same protein concentration and under equivalent conditions (such as pH and temperature). In some embodiments, an rOVD composition has a clarity better than whey protein when compared at the same protein concentration and the rOVD composition is a component of a consumable food composition such as a finished product or as an ingredient in a finished product.

In some embodiments, an rOVD composition has a clarity better than native OVD (nOVD) when compared at the same protein concentration and under equivalent conditions (such as pH and temperature). In some embodiments, an rOVD composition has a clarity better than an nOVD composition when compared at the same protein concentration and the rOVD composition is a component of a consumable food composition such as a finished product or as an ingredient in a finished product.

In some embodiments herein, a composition of rOVD has both substantial solubility and is substantially clear at concentrations at least about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 g or more than 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution (e.g., such as in 100 mL of water).

In some cases, rOVD remains soluble and clear in a consumable composition when the composition is heated to a temperature greater than 50° C., 60° C., or 70° C. or between about 70° C. and about 120° C., even when the rOVD is at a concentration of at least 2%, 4%, 10%, 20, 30%, 40%, or 50% on a w/v basis.

In one instance, clarity of a consumable composition herein is determined using absorbance of visible light, such as by measuring absorbance of the solution at a wavelength of 600 nm (OD600). Preferably, a liquid or semi-liquid consumable composition herein has an absorbance that is less than 1.2, 1.1, 1, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.09, 0.08, 0.07, 0.06, 0.05 or 0.04 when determined using visible light at 600 nm. Other methods to measure solubility include examining solubility by centrifuge concentration followed by protein concentration assays such as Coomassie Plus (Bradford) Protein Assay (Thermo Scientific) and Bicinchoninic Acid (BCA) Protein Assay (Sigma-Aldrich).

In some instances, clarity of a consumable composition is one that is not substantially different from the clarity of the solution before the addition of rOVD. For example, an addition of rOVD to a solution (consumable composition) does not change or does not substantially change (change of less than 0.03, 0.02, 0.01) the OD600 measurement as compared to the composition without rOVD.

Thus, a consumable composition comprising rOVD may have a clarity less than 2 as measured at OD600 in room temperature, with a concentration of rOVD of at least or about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or 30% rOVD weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). Alternatively, a solution comprising rOVD at a concentration greater than 10% w/w or w/v can have a clarity that is less than 2, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04 or 0.02 as measured at OD 600 in room temperature. A substantially optically clear solution may refer to a solution where the OD600 measurement is less than or equal to about 0.1. In some cases, a substantially optically clear solution has an OD600 measurement of less than 0.08, 0.06, 0.05 or 0.02.

In some embodiments, addition of rOVD increases the protein concentration by at least 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19% or 20% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v) without reducing clarity or increasing turbidity by more than 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10% w/w or w/v of the solution as compared to the solution before introduction of the rOVD.

In some embodiments, rOVD protein may be added in an amount (such as a percentage by total weight or volume of the consumable food composition) that is greater than what could be added with other protein sources used in edible products such as whey proteins (such as whey protein isolate (WPI) and whey protein concentrate (WPC)), all embodiments of pea protein, soy protein, whole egg or egg white proteins (e.g., native OVD), while still maintaining the solubility, or solubility and clarity properties of the composition.

Sensory Neutrality and Improved Sensory Appeal

In some embodiments, in addition to the increased protein nutrition content, the addition of rOVD to a consumable food composition provides sensory neutrality or an improved sensory appeal as compared to other proteins in such compositions. As used herein “sensory neutrality” refers to the absence of a strong or distinctive taste, odor (smell) or combination of taste and smell, as well as texture, mouth-feel, aftertaste and color. A sensory panel such as one described in Kemp et al. 2009 may be used by a panel of trained analysts. Sensory neutrality may provide an improved sensory appeal to a taster, such as a tester of foods or a consumer, when a consumable food composition containing rOVD with another like composition that has a different protein such as whey protein, pea protein, soy protein, whole egg or egg white protein at the same concentration.

In some embodiments, rOVD when added to a consumable food composition is substantially odorless, such as measured by a trained sensory panel, in comparison with different solutions with a different protein component present in an equal concentration to the rOVD containing solution, for example, in the comparison is whey, soy, collagen, pea, egg white solid isolates and/or native OVD. In some embodiments of the rOVD compositions described herein, such compositions are essentially odorless at a protein concentration between about 5-10%, 10-15%, 15-20%, 20-25%, 25-30% or greater than 30% rOVD weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v) or at a protein concentration of about 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or more than 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL solution (e.g., per 100 mL water).

In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD to a consumable food composition also provides a neutral taste in addition to the characteristics such as increased protein nutrition content, solubility, clarity, and/or odorless. A neutral taste can be measured for example, by a trained sensory panel in comparison with solutions containing a different protein present in an equal concentration to the rOVD, for example, whey, soy, collagen, pea, whole egg, and egg white solid isolates (including native OVD).

In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD provides a reduction in a certain odor and/or taste that is associated with other proteins used for supplementation. For example, addition of rOVD has less of an “egg-like” odor or taste as compared to the addition of whole egg, fractionated egg or egg-white to a consumable food composition. In some embodiments, addition of rOVD has less of a metallic odor or taste as compared to other protein sources.

In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD has an improved mouth-feel as compared to the addition of other protein sources. For example, the addition of rOVD is less grainy or has less precipitate or solids as compared to other protein sources.

In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD has an improved texture, for example, as compared to other available supplemental protein sources.

In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD has an improved or appealing color or visual appeal as compared to other available supplemental protein sources. For example, the addition of rOVD may maintain the clarity of a liquid (such as a carbonated drink, a protein water, sports drink) and provide visual appeal for the consumer.

A consumable composition with rOVD may also have an improved sensory appeal as compared to the composition without rOVD or with a different protein present in an equal concentration to the rOVD. Such improved sensory appeal may relate to taste and/or smell. Taste and smell can be measured, for example, by a trained sensory panel. In some instances, a sensory panel compares a consumable composition with rOVD to one without it or with a different protein in an equivalent amount.

As described herein, a consumable composition herein can be in a liquid form. A liquid form can be an intermediate product such as soluble rOVD solution. In some cases, a liquid form can be a final product, such as a beverage comprising rOVD. Example of different types of beverages contemplated herein include: a juice, a soda, a soft drink, a flavored water, a protein water, a fortified water, a carbonated water, a nutritional drink, an energy drink, a sports drink, a recovery drink, a heated drink, a coffee-based drink, a tea-based drink, a plant-based milk, a milk based drink, a non-dairy, plant based mild drink, infant formula drink, and a meal replacement drink.

Non-limiting examples of juice drinks include Odwalla®, Naked®, and MinuteMaid®.

Non-limiting examples of soda drinks include: Coca-Cola®, Pepsi®, Sprite® and 7Up®.

Non-limiting examples of recovery drinks include Gatorade™, Pedialyte®, Powerade® and Propel®.

Non-limiting examples of an energy drink include Red Bull™, Monster™, Full Throttle®, AMP®, Rockstar®, Bang™, Reign™, NOS®, Venom®, and energy shots such as 5-Hour Energy™.

Other examples of liquid form final products include broth, soup and liquid food.

A liquid form can be a cold drink, a hot or warm drink, or a room-temperature drink

Any of the liquid forms herein can be carbonated. Carbonation can be achieved using any safe gas such as carbon dioxide.

In one embodiment, a consumable composition is sparkling water (such as San Pellegrino™) and has between 0.5 and 30% w/w or w/v rOVD. Such product has an OD 600 less than 0.2, preferably less than 0.15 while remaining essentially colorless, odorless and tasteless.

In one embodiment, a consumable composition is a soda drink (such as Diet Coke™ Pepsi™ Coke™) and has between 0.5 and 30% w/w or w/v rOVD. Such product retains a sensory profile (taste, odor, smell and clarity) comparable to the composition without the addition of rOVD.

In some embodiments, a consumable composition is in a semi-sold form. Examples of semi-solid consumable compositions include: a jelly, a candy, a broth, a soup, a syrup, a gelatin-containing product, a gelled product, and a gummy product, or a combination thereof.

Compatibility with Additional Ingredients

Provided herein are compositions with rOVD wherein the rOVD is compatible with one or more additional ingredients that are used in the preparation of a consumable food composition, including a finished product. Such compatibility provides fortification of protein content to the consumable food composition, while maintaining one or more desired characteristics of the consumable food composition.

In some embodiments, rOVD is compatible with gluten-containing ingredients. For example, rOVD can be added with a gluten-containing ingredient to achieve protein fortification and maintain gluten-structure necessary for the ingredient and/or finished product. For example, rOVD can be used as an ingredient for the production of protein fortified baked goods, a bread, a cookie, a cracker, a biscuit, a frozen dairy product, a frozen “dairy-like” product, a prepared meal, a meat product, a meatless product, a burger, a patty, a protein supplement, a snack bar, a protein bar, a nutrition bar, an energy bar, a dessert, a salad dressing, an egg-wash product, or an “egg-like” product, pastries, cakes and noodles. In the finished product, the rOVD does not substantially interfere with the gluten structure or has a substantially reduced interference with gluten structure as compared to other protein sources.

In some embodiments, rOVD is compatible with gluten-free ingredients. For example, rOVD can be added with a gluten-free ingredient mix to achieve protein fortification and provide structure and/or texture to the finished product. Gluten-free ingredients and finished products include such grains and starches (rice, corn, sorghum, and other cereals), root tubers such as potato, and legumes and pulses such as chickpeas and lentils. For example, rOVD can be used as an ingredient for the production of protein fortified gluten-free products including baked goods, a bread, a cookie, a cracker, a biscuit, a frozen dairy product, a frozen “dairy-like” product, a prepared meal, a meat product, a meatless product, a burger, a patty, a protein supplement, a snack bar, a protein bar, a nutrition bar, an energy bar, a dessert, or an “egg-like” product, pastries, cakes and noodles.

In some embodiments, rOVD is compatible with salts such that rOVD protein does not precipitate out from solution. For example, for use in foods and beverages such as protein smoothies, vegan milk and fruit juices fortified with rOVD, the protein remains substantially in solution. Addition of rOVD does not precipitate in vitamin/mineral fortified environment such as present with fruit juice and juice-like products, and rOVD provides increased protein content and nutrition.

rOVD Combinations with a Second Source of Amino-Acids

In some embodiments, rOVD is added to a consumable food composition and a second source of amino acids is added, such that the combination has an increased protein content and provides a desired amount or balance of amino acid content. In some embodiments, the second source of amino acids is a second protein (either a native protein or a recombinant protein). In some embodiments, the second source of amino acids is provided by adding one or more free amino acids.

In some embodiments, rOVD is added to a consumable food composition and a second protein is added, such that the combination has an increased protein content and provides a desired amount or balance of amino acid content. In some embodiments, the second protein is a recombinant protein. In some embodiments, the second protein is a native protein, e.g., isolated from its native source.

Protein content of compositions can be measured by various methods such as the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) method. PDCAAS refers to a method for the measurement of the protein value in human nutrition. The method is based on comparison of the concentration of the first limiting essential amino acid in the test protein with the concentration of that amino acid in a reference (scoring) pattern. The method compares the amino acid profile of the specific food protein against a standard amino acid profile with the highest possible score being a 1.0, such 1.0 score meaning the specific food protein provides per unit of protein 100% or more of the indispensable amino acids required for human nutrition (see e.g., FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation 1985).

The formula for calculating the PDCAAS percentage is: (mg of limiting amino acid in 1 g of test protein/mg of same amino acid in 1 g of reference protein)×fecal true digestibility percentage. PDCAAS scores above 1.0 are truncated to 1.0. Amino acid score (not corrected or truncated) can exceed 1.0.

In some embodiments, the combination of rOVD and a second protein increases the protein content and provides a PDCAAS of greater than about 0.75. In some embodiments, the combination provides a PDCAAS of or of about 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.80, 0.81, 0.82, 0.83, 0.84, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.90, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99 or 1.0. In some embodiments, the combination provides a PDCAAS of greater than or greater than about 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.80, 0.81, 0.82, 0.83, 0.84, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.90, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, or 0.95. In some embodiments the combination provides a PDCAAS of or of about 1.0.

In some embodiments, the ratio of rOVD and second protein is selected to provide a PDCAAS of at least about 0.75 and wherein the combination of rOVD and second protein remains soluble in the consumable food composition. In some embodiments of a herein-disclosed combination of rOVD and a second protein, rOVD is present in the combination at or at about 95%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 79%, 78%, 77%, 76%, 75%, 74%, 73%, 72%, 71%, or 70% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). In some embodiments of a herein-disclosed combination of rOVD and a second protein, rOVD is present in the combination at or at about 69%, 78%, 67%, 66%, 65%, 64%, 63%, 62%, 61%, 60%, 59%, 58%, 57%, 56%, 55%, 54%, 53%, 52%, 51%, or 50% w/w or w/v. In some embodiments of the combination of rOVD and the second protein, rOVD is present in the combination in a percentage of total protein at least or at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% or greater than 80% w/w or w/v. In some embodiments of a herein-disclosed combination of rOVD and a second protein, the second protein is present in the combination at an above percentage, such the rOVD is provided in a lesser amount than the second protein.

In some embodiments, a second protein is selected based on its amino acid composition. In some embodiments, a second protein provides tryptophan to the composition. In some embodiments, a second protein provides tryptophan such that the combination with rOVD has a tryptophan content of at least about 1.7 g per 100 g total protein.

In some embodiments, the second protein is lysozyme. In some embodiments, the second protein is egg white lysozyme. In some embodiments, the second protein is a recombinant protein. In some embodiments, the second protein is a recombinant egg white lysozyme (rOVL).

The rOVD and rOVL can be processed or mixed together prior to mixing with any other food ingredients or consumable food products. Alternatively, either the rOVD or the rOVL can be processed or mixed individually, either at the same time or separately, with any other food ingredients or consumable food products. In embodiments, a single transformed cell expresses both rOVL and rOVD.

In some embodiments, the second protein is rOVL and the combination of rOVD and rOVL provides protein fortification while remaining soluble in the composition and providing a PDCAAS of about 1.0. The ratio of rOVD to rOVL can be between about 60% rOVD:40% rOVL to about 82% rOVD:18% rOVL, or between about 75% rOVD:25% rOVL to about 82% rOVD:18% rOVL weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v).

Native OVD has a PDCAAS of approximately 0.02. Addition of rOVL to rOVD increases the amino acid score and PDCAAS of the combination. As an example, a 78.3% rOVD and 21.7% rOVL blend result in an amino acid score of 0.86 and a PDCAAS of 0.79. With a ratio of rOVD to rOVL from about 78.3% rOVD+21.7% rOVL to about 60% rOVD+40% rOVL provides a range of 0.86 to 1.06 amino acid score. In these exemplary ranges, the combination of rOVD and rOVL remains soluble.

In some embodiments, a consumable composition comprises a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL. In some cases, a composition comprising a mixture of rOVD and rOVL has about 20%-99% rOVD and 1-20% rOVL. In some examples, the concentration of rOVD in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be at least 20%. The concentration of rOVD in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be at most 99%. The concentration of rOVD in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be about 20% to 30%, 20% to 40%, 20% to 50%, 20% to 60%, 20% to 70%, 20% to 80%, 20% to 90%, 20% to 99%, 30% to 40%, 30% to 50%, 30% to 60%, 30% to 70%, 30% to 80%, 30% to 90%, 30% to 99%, 40% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 40% to 70%, 40% to 80%, 40% to 90%, 40% to 99%, 50% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 50% to 80%, 50% to 90%, 50% to 99%, 60% to 70%, 60% to 80%, 60% to 90%, 60% to 99%, 70% to 80%, 70% to 90%, 70% to 99%, 80% to 90%, 80% to 99%, or 90% to 99% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). The concentration of rOVD in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 99% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVL in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be 1% to 20%. The concentration of rOVL in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be at least 1%. The concentration of rOVL in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be at most 20%. The concentration of rOVL in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be 1% to 5%, 1% to 10%, 1% to 15%, 1% to 20%, 5% to 10%, 5% to 15%, 5% to 20%, 10% to 15%, 10% to 20%, or 15% to 20% w/w or w/v. The concentration of rOVL in a protein mixture of rOVD and rOVL may be about 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% w/w or w/v.

In some embodiments, the rOVD and second protein provide a PDCAAS similar to other protein sources such as whey protein and whey protein isolate, and the rOVD and second protein provide at least one feature improved as compared to the other protein source including solubility, clarity, sensory neutrality or improvement of taste and/or odor, improved mouthfeel, and compatibility with an additional ingredient. In some embodiments, the rOVD and second protein provide a PDCAAS similar to other protein sources and provided improved solubility and clarity in food preparation and processing conditions, such as pH, heating and carbonation.

In some embodiments, the second source of amino acids added with rOVD is one or more free amino acids. In some embodiments, rOVD can be combined with free amino acids such as Tryptophan, Isoleucine, Leucine and Valine to selectively increase PDCAAS. In some embodiments, the addition of one or more free amino acids provides an amino acid balance similar to the addition of a second protein, such as similar to the PDCAAS achieved with the addition of rOVL. For example, one or more of the following can be added with rOVD: Tryptophan=1.7 g/100 g sample, Isoleucine=2.03 g/100 g sample, Leucine=4.55 g/100 g sample, Valine=4.94 g/100 g sample.

Heating Conditions and pH of Compositions

In some embodiments, the consumable food compositions and methods of making such compositions include a particular pH range, and in such range, the rOVD remains soluble in the composition. In some embodiments, the pH is between about 1.0 and about 8.0. In some embodiments, the pH is between about 2.0 and about 6.0, 6.5, or 7.0. In some embodiments, the pH is between about 2.0 to about 2.5, about 2.5 to about 3.0, about 2.5 to about 3.5, about 3.5 to about 4.0, about 2.5 to about 4.5, about 2.0 to about 4.0, about 4.0 to about 6.0, about 2.0 to about 6.0, about 4.0 to about 6.5, or about 2.0 to about 6.5. In some embodiments, the pH is less than 2.0, or equal to 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 or greater than 4.5. At such pH or pH range, rOVD remains soluble in the consumable food composition, when the rOVD is an ingredient of a finished product (e.g., as a powdered form for use in a finished product) or in a finished product itself. At such pH or pH range, rOVD remains soluble in the consumable food composition without affecting the texture or graininess of the composition. In semi-solid and solid foods, the solubility of rOVD enables protein fortification without jeopardizing functional and sensory properties of the food product. For instance, the addition of rOVD provides fortification and maintains sensory appeal such as a good mouth-feel and lack of graininess. In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD provides fortification, maintains solubility and as such provides the ability of the rOVD to blend with other ingredients.

In some embodiments, the consumable food compositions and methods of making such compositions include a heating condition. For example, a consumable food composition may be a heated (e.g., fried, boiled, or baked) or may it may be a hot beverage, such as a warm or hot drink, a soup or a broth. In some cases, a consumable food composition may have a heating step as part of the preparation or sterilization process for producing an ingredient or a finished product. For example, a heating step may include pasteurization, hot fill, and/or retorting. In some embodiments, the heating step include heating to a temperature between about 72° C. and about 121° C. For example, a heating step may be a pasteurization, where the composition is heated to 72° C. for 1 minute and then cooled and stored, including storage at room temperature or refrigerated. For hot fill, a composition may be heated to 85° C. to 95° C., such as for 30 seconds and then placed at room temperature. Retorting may include heating to 121° C. under pressure, such as heating for 15 minutes at 19 psi, and then storing at room temperature.

Preparation of a consumable composition can also include one or more heating steps. A heating step can comprise pasteurization, hot fill, and/or retorting. In some embodiments, the heating step includes heating to a temperature between about 70° C. and about 150° C.

In one example, a pasteurization heating step is performed at temperatures ranging between 70° C. and 100° C.

In one example, hot filling heating step is performed at about 90° C. to about 97° C.

In one example, retorting is performed at about 100° C. to about 140° C. The retorting may be performed for about 10 or more minutes and at about or at least 12 psi.

In some embodiments, the consumable food compositions and methods of making such compositions with rOVD provide a greater protein solubility or a greater protein solubility and improved clarity at pH ranges and/or with heating as compared to composition containing a different protein, such as whey protein, soy protein, pea protein, whole egg protein (e.g., native OVD), or whole egg white protein at the same concentration.

In some cases, rOVD provides protein solubility in a consumable food composition at a pH between about 2 and about 6, at rOVD concentrations of concentrations of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 g or more than 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution (e.g., such as in 100 mL of water) or at a percentage of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 percent on a weight per total composition volume basis. In some cases, rOVD provides protein solubility and clarity in a consumable food composition at a pH between about 2 and about 6, at rOVD concentrations of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 g or more than 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution (e.g., such as in 100 mL of water) or at a percentage of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 percent on a weight per total composition volume basis.

In some cases, rOVD provides protein solubility in a consumable food composition when the composition is heated to a temperature between about 72° C. and about 121° C. at rOVD concentrations of concentrations of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 g or more than 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution (e.g., such as in 100 mL of water) or at a percentage of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 percent on a weight per total composition volume basis. In some cases, rOVD provides protein solubility and clarity in a consumable food composition when the composition is heated to a temperature between about 72° C. and about 121° C. at rOVD concentrations of concentrations of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 g or more than 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution (e.g., such as in 100 mL of water) or at a percentage of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 percent on a weight per total composition volume basis.

In some cases, rOVD provides protein solubility in a consumable food composition when the composition is heated to a temperature between about 72° C. and about 121° C. and where the composition has a pH between about 2 and about 4, or a pH about 2 to about 6, at rOVD concentrations of concentrations of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 g or more than 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution (e.g., such as in 100 mL of water) or at a percentage of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 percent on a weight per total composition volume basis. In some cases, rOVD provides protein solubility and clarity in a consumable food composition when the composition is heated to a temperature between about 72° C. and about 121° C., and where the composition has a pH between about 2 and about 4, or a pH about 2 to about 6, at rOVD concentrations of concentrations of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 g or more than 30 g of total rOVD protein per 100 mL of solution (e.g., such as in 100 mL of water) or at a percentage of about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 percent on a weight per total composition volume basis.

Consumable Food Compositions

Consumable food compositions described herein include food products, beverage products, dietary supplements, food additives, and nutraceuticals as non-limiting examples, and also include compositions as an ingredient of a food or beverage or a product ingested as part of an animal diet. In some embodiments, a consumable food composition is a finished product, such as a food or beverage for animal consumption or for human consumption, a dietary supplement, or a nutraceutical product.

In some embodiments, a finished product is a beverage containing rOVD, and optionally a second protein, such as rOVL. The beverage can be a clear beverage, and can be selected from a juice, a soda, a soft drink, a flavored water, an unflavored water, a fortified water, a carbonated water, a nutritional drink, an energy drink, a sports drink, a recovery drink, a heated drink, a coffee-based drink, a tea-based drink, a cocoa based drink, a smoothie, a milk shake, coconut water, beer, wine, alcoholic beverage, nut milks, juice-based beverages, dairy-based beverages, and a plant-based milk. Many of these beverages have a pH that is between about 2 and about 7, and rOVD and/or rOVD and second protein combination remains soluble in such beverages. In some embodiments, the beverage is a heated beverage. In some embodiments, the beverage is a cold beverage or a beverage served or stored at room temperature. In some embodiments, the beverage contains alcohol from 3 to 40% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v).

In some embodiments the beverage is carbonated. The carbonation may be created by, for example, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. A composition described herein may be carbonated. In some cases, a composition described herein has about or at least about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4 volumes of carbon dioxide gas present per volume of beverage. In some cases, a composition described herein has up to about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4 volumes of carbon dioxide gas present per volume of beverage. In some cases, a composition described herein has about 0.1 volumes to about 4 volumes or about 1.5 volumes to about 3.5 volumes of carbon dioxide gas present per volume of beverage.

In some embodiments, a protein composition may comprise carbon dioxide, and wherein the amount of carbon dioxide added to the soluble protein composition may be in a proportion between 0.01 g and 4.4 g in 355 mL or the gaseous carbon dioxide may be between 0.02 volumes and 5 volumes for every 1 volume of soluble protein composition, and wherein the beverage may have a pH range between about 2 and about 6 or about 2 and about 4. In some embodiments, a carbonated beverage has a pH between 1.0 and 6.0 or about 1.0 and about 4 or between about 1.6 and about 3.4.

In some embodiments, the beverage preparation includes a heating step, such as hot fill, pasteurization or retorting and the rOVD in the beverage remains soluble during and subsequent to the heating step. In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD to the beverage does not substantially alter the visible appearance, smell, flavor or mouthfeel of the beverage as compared to a beverage that does not contain the composition. In some embodiments, the addition of rOVD to the beverage is sensory neutral and provides an improved sensory appeal as compared to other proteins when added to the beverage at the same concentration, such as whey protein, soy protein, pea protein, egg white proteins or whole egg proteins. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation also includes a second protein such as rOVL and the combination of rOVD and the second protein remains soluble during and subsequent to the heating step.

In some embodiments, a finished product is a food product containing rOVD. The food product can be a jelly, a candy, a broth, a soup, a gelatin-containing product, a gelled product and a gummy product. Additional exemplary categories of food products in which rOVD can be added include sauces, dressings, condiments.

rOVD can also be added to seasoning mixes and spices. rOVD can also be used in coating and breadings. rOVD may also be used to increase the protein content of snacks such as fruit and vegetable-based snacks.

rOVD may be used as an egg wash to promote adhesion of seeds or grains to a baked good and/or to improve the visual appearance, such as browning, of the baked good.

In some embodiments herein, a consumable food composition containing rOVD is a composition that is used as an ingredient with other ingredient(s) or component(s) to create a finished product. For example, rOVD can be mixed with water or other liquid, and then this mixture used as an ingredient to create a beverage, food product, dietary supplement or nutraceutical. In some cases, rOVD is mixed with other ingredients, such as other liquids (e.g., nut milks, fruit juices, vegetable extracts or carbonated solutions. This solution can be an ingredient that is then mixed with other ingredients to make a final product for an end-user; for example, the solution may be a syrup containing concentrated rOVD. A final or finished product is one that is ready for an end-user's consumption. The finished product can be a processed product, such as processed food or a processed drink. In some instances, the rOVD is provided in a separate container to be mixed into the final product by the end-user. In some cases, rOVD is mixed with other ingredients, such as gelling agents to make candies, gummy products, gelled products (such as a Jello™) or sportsgels.

During or after preparation of a consumable food product containing rOVD may be formulated as a liquid, solid, syrup, or powder. A composition may be refrigerated, frozen, stored warm, stored at room temperature or held at a heated temperature. Preparation of the food product can include a heating step or the food product is stored or served at a heated temperature, and the rOVD remains soluble in the food product during and subsequent to the heating step. In some cases, the food product can have a pH that is between about 2 and about 6, and rOVD remains soluble in the food product.

Examples of liquid consumable compositions or beverages include: a soda, a vitamin drink, a protein shake, a meal replacement shake, a juice, a refreshment drink, a milk-based drink or a non-dairy based drink, flavored water, a carbonated drink, coffee, caffeinated drink, tea, flower-based drink, beer, liquor, and a sports drink.

Any of the liquid or semi-solid consumable compositions herein can be created by mixing a powdered rOVD into a solution. The solution can be the final product or an intermediate solution which is then further modified to generate a final product.

Examples of solvents that can be used to prepare an rOVD solution include still water, carbonated water, alcohol, juices, and any other commercially available drink including those described in more detail herein.

A method of generating a consumable composition comprising rOVD may comprise mixing rOVD with a solvent and, optionally, one or more other components. The mixing may be performed by any conventionally used mixing method including mortar and pestle, mechanical grinder, blending, homogenization process or a sonication process.

The amount of rOVD added to the solution can be one that generates an rOVD concentration as derived herein (either in the final product or an intermediate product).

Preferably, addition of the rOVD to the solution results in most or nearly all of the rOVD solubilized into the solution at room temperature. In one instance, solubility is determined based on clarity or degree of lack of turbidity.

The consumable compositions herein can also be subjected to a heating step. Such a step can modify or increase solubility of the rOVD. For example, it was found that performing a heating step in the process of making a product such as retorting, hot filling, or pasteurization can increase solubility and hence clarity of an rOVD solution herein.

Preparation of a consumable food product containing rOVD may include processing steps, for example, freezing, chilling, heating, baking, roasting, broiling, boiling, blanching, packaging, canning, bleaching, enriching, drying, pressing, grinding, mixing, par cooking, cooking, proofing, marinating, cutting, slicing, dicing, crushing, shredding, chopping, shaking, coring, spiralizing, rolling, juicing, straining, filtering, kneading, whisking, beating, whipping, grating, stuffing, peeling, deseeding, smoking, curing, salting, preserving, pickling, fermenting, homogenizing, pasteurizing, sterilizing, irradiating, cold plasma processing, high pressure processing, pulse electric field processing, microwave assisted thermal sterilization, stabilizing, blending, pureeing, fortifying, refining, hydrogenating, aging, extending shelf life, or adding enzymes.

Preparation of a consumable food product containing rOVD may include drying and/or concentrating. In some cases, drying forms a dry, dehydrated, concentrated, and/or solid protein or composition. Some non-limiting examples of drying methods include thermal drying, evaporation (e.g., by means of vacuum or air), distillation, boiling, heating in an oven, vacuum drying, spray drying, freeze drying, and lyophilization, or any combination thereof.

Preparation of a consumable food product containing rOVD may include diluting and/or hydrating. In some cases, the diluting may comprise addition of a liquid, which may be water or another liquid form. For example, a composition can be diluted (e.g., from 20% water to 99.9% water). In another example, a dry composition can be hydrated (e.g., from a dry solid to 99.9% water).

In some embodiments, the consumable food composition containing rOVD is in powder form and when the powdered composition is formulated into a solution, the rOVD is substantially fully soluble. In some embodiments, when the powdered composition is formulated into a solution, the rOVD is substantially fully soluble and the solution is substantially clear. In some embodiments, when the powdered composition is formulated into a solution, the rOVD is substantially fully soluble, the solution is substantially clear and the solution is essentially sensory neutral or has an improved sensory appeal as compared to solutions made with other powder zed proteins such whey protein, soy protein, pea protein, egg white protein or whole egg proteins. In some embodiments, the powdered composition is solubilized in water where the concentration of rOVD is or is about 1%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39% or 40% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v) of composition.

In some embodiments of the consumable food compositions described herein, the composition is essentially free of animal-derived component, whey protein, caseinate, fat, lactose, hydrolyzed lactose, soy protein, collagen, hydrolyzed collagen, or gelatin, or any combination thereof. A composition described herein may be essentially free of cholesterol, glucose, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, or any combination thereof. In some cases, a composition described herein comprises less than 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% fat by dry weight. In some embodiments, the composition may be fat-containing (e.g., such as a mayonnaise) and such composition may include up to about 60% fat or a reduced-fat composition (e.g., reduced fat mayonnaise) and such composition may include lesser percentages of fat. A composition that free of an animal-derived component can be considered vegetarian and/or vegan.

In some embodiments, an rOVD powder composition comprises less than 5% ash. The term “ash” is an art-known term and represents inorganics such as one or more ions, elements, minerals, and/or compounds In some cases, the rOVD powder composition comprises less than 5%, 4.5%, 4%, 3.5%, 3%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.5%, 1%, 0.75%, 0.5%, 0.25% or 0.1% ash weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v).

In some embodiments, the moisture content of an rOVD powder composition may be less than 15%. The rOVD powder composition may have less than 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 6%, 5%, 3%, 2% or 1% moisture weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). In some embodiments, the carbohydrate content of an rOVD powder composition may be less than 30%. The rOVD powder composition may have less than 30%, 27%, 25%, 22%, 20%, 17%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 5%, 3% or 1% carbohydrate content w/w or w/v.

In some cases, the protein content of an rOVD powder composition may be 30% to 99% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). In some cases, the protein content of an rOVD powder composition may be at least 30% w/w or w/v. In some cases, the protein content of an rOVD powder composition may be at most 99% w/w or w/v. In some cases, the protein content of an rOVD powder composition may be 30% to 40%, 30% to 50%, 30% to 60%, 30% to 70%, 30% to 75%, 30% to 80%, 30% to 85%, 30% to 90%, 30% to 95%, 30% to 99%, 40% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 40% to 70%, 40% to 75%, 40% to 80%, 40% to 85%, 40% to 90%, 40% to 95%, 40% to 99%, 50% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 50% to 75%, 50% to 80%, 50% to 85%, 50% to 90%, 50% to 95%, 50% to 99%, 60% to 70%, 60% to 75%, 60% to 80%, 60% to 85%, 60% to 90%, 60% to 95%, 60% to 99%, 70% to 75%, 70% to 80%, 70% to 85%, 70% to 90%, 70% to 95%, 70% to 99%, 75% to 80%, 75% to 85%, 75% to 90%, 75% to 95%, 75% to 99%, 80% to 85%, 80% to 90%, 80% to 95%, 80% to 99%, 85% to 90%, 85% to 95%, 85% to 99%, 90% to 95%, 90% to 99%, or 95% to 99% w/w or w/v. In some cases, the protein content of an rOVD powder composition may be about 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% w/w or w/v. In some cases, the protein content of an rOVD powder composition may be at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95% w/w or w/v. In some cases, the protein content of an rOVD powder composition may be at most 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% w/w or w/v.

Additional Components of Compositions

The consumable food compositions containing rOVD disclosed herein and the methods of making such compositions may including adding or mixing the rOVD with one or more ingredients. For example, food additives may be added in or mixed with the compositions. Food additives can add volume and/or mass to a composition. A food additive may improve functional performance and/or physical characteristics. For example, a food additive may prevent gelation or increased viscosity due to the lipid portion of the lipoproteins in the freeze-thaw cycle. An anticaking agent may be added to make a free-flowing composition. Carbohydrates can be added to increase resistance to heat damage, e.g., less protein denaturation during drying and improve stability and flowability of dried compositions. Food additives include, but are not limited to, food coloring, pH adjuster, natural flavoring, artificial flavoring, flavor enhancer, batch marker, food acid, filler, anticaking agent (e.g., sodium silico aluminate), antigreening agent (e.g., citric acid), food stabilizer, foam stabilizer or binding agent, antioxidant, acidity regulatory, bulking agent, color retention agent, whipping agent (e.g., ester-type whipping agent, triethyl citrate, sodium lauryl sulfate), emulsifier (e.g., lecithin), humectant, thickener, excipient, solid diluent, salts, nutrient, sweetener, glazing agent, preservative, vitamin, dietary elements, carbohydrates, polyol, gums, starches, flour, oil, or bran.

Food coloring includes, but is not limited to, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Red #3, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Green No. 3, carotenoids (e.g., saffron, β-carotene), anthocyanins, annatto, betanin, butterfly pea, caramel coloring, chlorophyllin, elderberry juice, lycopene, carmine, pandan, paprika, turmeric, curcuminoids, quinoline yellow, carmoisine, Ponceau 4R, Patent Blue V, and Green S.

Ingredients for pH adjustment include, but are not limited to, Tris buffer, potassium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, and hydrochloric acid.

Salts include, but are not limited, to acid salts, alkali salts, organic salts, inorganic salts, phosphates, chloride salts, sodium salts, sodium chloride, potassium salts, potassium chloride, magnesium salts, magnesium chloride, magnesium perchlorate, calcium salts, calcium chloride, ammonium chloride, iron salts, iron chlorides, zinc salts, and zinc chloride.

Nutrient includes, but is not limited to, macronutrient, micronutrient, essential nutrient, non-essential nutrient, dietary fiber, amino acid, essential fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acid.

Sweeteners include, but are not limited to, sugar substitute, artificial sweetener, acesulfame potassium, advantame, alitame, aspartame, sodium cyclamate, dulcin, glucin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, neotame, P-4000, saccharin, aspartame-acesulfame salt, sucralose, brazzein, curculin, glycyrrhizin, glycerol, inulin, mogroside, mabinlin, malto-oligosaccharide, mannitol, miraculin, monatin, monellin, osladin, pentadin, stevia, trilobatin, and thaumatin.

Carbohydrates include, but are not limited to, sugar, sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, lactose, maltose, mannose, allulose, tagatose, xylose, arabinose, high fructose corn syrup, high maltose corn syrup, corn syrup (e.g., glucose-free corn syrup), sialic acid, monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides (e.g., polydextrose, maltodextrin).

Polyols include, but are not limited to, xylitol, maltitol, erythritol, sorbitol, threitol, arabitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, and galactitol (dulcitol).

Gums include, but are not limited to, gum arabic, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, acacia gum, cellulose gum, and xanthan gum.

Vitamins include, but are not limited to, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamine, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, choline, inositol, and biotin.

Dietary elements include, but are not limited to, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, chlorine, iodine, sulfur, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, and bromine.

Packaging

One of the benefits of the consumable compositions disclosed herein is that they allow for simpler packaging. In one instance, a consumable liquid composition disclosed herein may be packaged in a clear container as the lack of turbidity in the composition results in a more consumer-appealing product.

A consumable composition can be refrigerated, frozen, stored warm, stored at room temperature or held at a heated temperature.

An rOVD composition may be packaged as a powder, a concentrated syrup, a consumable food product, a beverage, a ready-to-use foodstuff, an ingredient, or a finished product.

Recombinant OVD and OVL

In any composition described herein, the protein may be recombinantly expressed in a host cell. The recombinant protein may be OVD, a first non-recombinant protein (e.g., OVD) and a second recombinant protein such as lysozyme (e.g. rOVL), or OVD and at least one second protein may both be recombinantly produced (for example rOVD and rOVL).

rOVD or rOVL can have an amino acid sequence from any species. For example, an rOVD can have an amino acid sequence of OVD native to a bird (avian) or a reptile or Platypus and a rOVL can have an amino acid sequence of OVL native to a bird or a reptile or Platypus. An rOVD and/or rOVL having an amino acid sequence from an avian OVD and/or OVL can be selected from the group consisting of: poultry, fowl, waterfowl, game bird, chicken, quail, turkey, turkey vulture, hummingbird, duck, ostrich, goose, gull, guineafowl, pheasant, emu, and any combination thereof. An rOVD and/or rOVL can have an amino acid sequence native to a single species, such as Gallus Gallus domesticus. Alternatively, an rOVD and/or rOVL can have an amino acid sequence native to two or more species, and as such be a hybrid.

Exemplary OVD and OVL amino acid sequences contemplated herein are provided in Table 1 below as SEQ ID NOs: 1-44 and 45-51, respectively.

TABLE 1 Sequences SEQ Sequence ID Description NOs SEQUENCES Ovomucoid SEQ ID AEVDCSRFPNATDKEGKDVLVCNKDLRPICGTDGVTYTNDCLLCAYSIEFGT (canonical) NO: 1 NISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSEDGKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGVTYD mature chicken NECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGGCRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDRPLC OVD GSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID AEVDCSRFPNATDMEGKDVLVCNKDLRPICGTDGVTYTNDCLLCAYSVEFGT variant of SEQ ID NO: 2 NISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSEDGKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGVTYD 1 NECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGGCRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDRPLC GSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC G162MF167A SEQ ID AEVDCSRFPNATDMEGKDVLVCNKDLRPICGTDGVTYTNDCLLCAYSVEFGT Ovomucoid NO: 3 NISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSEDGKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGVTYD Variant of Chicken NECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGGCRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDRPLC OVD in Genbank GSDNKTYMNKCNACNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MAMAGVFVLFSFVLCGFLPDAAFGAEVDCSRFPNATDKEGKDVLVCNKDLR isoform 1 NO: 4 PICGTDGVTYTNDCLLCAYSIEFGTNISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSED precursor full GKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGGCRKE length LAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDRPLCGSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSH FGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MAMAGVFVLFSFVLCGFLPDAVFGAEVDCSRFPNATDMEGKDVLVCNKDLR [Gallus gallus] NO: 5 PICGTDGVTYTNDCLLCAYSVEFGTNISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSED GKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGGCRKE LAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDRPLCGSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSH FGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MAMAGVFVLFSFVLCGFLPDAAFGAEVDCSRFPNATDKEGKDVLVCNKDLR isoform 2 NO: 6 PICGTDGVTYTNDCLLCAYSIEFGTNISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSED precursor [Gallus GKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGGCRKE gallus] LAAVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDRPLCGSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFG KC Ovomucoid SEQ ID AEVDCSRFPNATDKEGKDVLVCNKDLRPICGTDGVTYNNECLLCAYSIEFGT [Gallus gallus] NO: 7 NISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSEDGKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGVTYD NECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGECRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDRPLC GSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MAMAGVFVLFSFALCGFLPDAAFGVEVDCSRFPNATNEEGKDVLVCTEDLRP [Numida NO: 8 ICGTDGVTYSNDCLLCAYNIEYGTNISKEHDGECREAVPVDCSRYPNMTSEEG meleagris] KVLILCNKAFNPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHNVEQGTSVGKKHDGECRKELA AVDCSEYPKPACTMEYRPLCGSDNKTYDNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGK C PREDICTED: SEQ ID MQTITWRQPQGDHLRSRAPAATCRAGQYLTMAMAGIFVLFSFALCGFLPDAA Ovomucoid NO: 9 FGVEVDCSRFPNTTNEEGKDVLVCTEDLRPICGTDGVTHSECLLCAYNIEYGT isoform X1 NISKEHDGECREAVPMDCSRYPNTTNEEGKVMILCNKALNPVCGTDGVTYD [Meleagris NECVLCAHNLEQGTSVGKKHDGGCRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPACTLEYRPLC gallopavo] GSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID VEVDCSRFPNTTNEEGKDVLVCTEDLRPICGTDGVTHSECLLCAYNIEYGTNIS [Meleagris NO: 10 KEHDGECREAVPMDCSRYPNTTSEEGKVMILCNKALNPVCGTDGVTYDNEC gallopavo] VLCAHNLEQGTSVGKKHDGECRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPACTLEYRPLCGSDN KTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC PREDICTED: SEQ ID MQTITWRQPQGDHLRSRAPAATCRAGQYLTMAMAGIFVLFSFALCGFLPDAA Ovomucoid NO: 11 FGVEVDCSRFPNTTNEEGKDVLVCTEDLRPICGTDGVTHSECLLCAYNIEYGT isoform X2 NISKEHDGECREAVPMDCSRYPNTTNEEGKVMILCNKALNPVCGTDGVTYD [Meleagris NECVLCAHNLEQGTSVGKKHDGGCRKELAAVDCSEYPKPACTLEYRPLCGS gallopavo] DNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID EYGTNISIKHNGECKETVPMDCSRYANMTNEEGKVMMPCDRTYNPVCGTDG [Bambusicola NO: 12 VTYDNECQLCAHNVEQGTSVDKKHDGVCGKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPECTAEE thoracicus] RPICGSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVYVQP Ovomucoid SEQ ID VDCSRFPNTTNEEGKDVLACTKELHPICGTDGVTYSNECLLCYYNIEYGTNIS [Callipepla NO: 13 KEHDGECTEAVPVDCSRYPNTTSEEGKVLIPCNRDFNPVCGSDGVTYENECLL squamata] CAHNVEQGTSVGKKHDGGCRKEFAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTLEYRPLCGSDNK TYASKCNFCNAVVIWEQEKNTRHHASHSVFFISARLVC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MLPLGLREYGTNTSKEHDGECTEAVPVDCSRYPNTTSEEGKVRILCKKDINPV [Colinus NO: 14 CGTDGVTYDNECLLCSHSVGQGASIDKKHDGGCRKEFAAVSVDCSEYPKPAC virginianus] MSEYRPLCGSDNKTYVNKCNFCNAVVYVQPWLHSRCRLPPTGTSFLGSEGRE TSLLTSRATDLQVAGCTAISAMEATRAAALLGLVLLSSFCELSHLCFSQASCD VYRLSGSRNLACPRIFQPVCGTDNVTYPNECSLCRQMLRSRAVYKKHDGRCV KVDCTGYMRATGGLGTACSQQYSPLYATNGVIYSNKCTFCSAVANGEDIDLL AVKYPEEESWISVSPTPWRMLSAGA Ovomucoid-like SEQ ID MSWWGIKPALERPSQEQSTSGQPVDSGSTSTTTMAGIFVLLSLVLCCFPDAAF isoform X2 [Anser NO: 15 GVEVDCSRFPNTTNEEGKEVLLCTKDLSPICGTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGT cygnoides NISKDHDGECKEAVPVDCSTYPNMTNEEGKVMLVCNKMFSPVCGTDGVTYD domesticus] NECMLCAHNVEQGTSVGKKYDGKCKKEVATVDCSDYPKPACTVEYMPLCG SDNKTYDNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid-like SEQ ID MSSQNQLHRRRRPLPGGQDLNKYYWPHCTSDRFSWLLHVTAEQFRHCVCIY isoform X1 [Anser NO: 16 LQPALERPSQEQSTSGQPVDSGSTSTTTMAGIFVLLSLVLCCFPDAAFGVEVDC cygnoides SRFPNTTNEEGKEVLLCTKDLSPICGTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNISKDHD domesticus] GECKEAVPVDCSTYPNMTNEEGKVMLVCNKMFSPVCGTDGVTYDNECMLC AHNVEQGTSVGKKYDGKCKKEVATVDCSDYPKPACTVEYMPLCGSDNKTY DNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID VEVDCSRFPNTTNEEGKDEVVCPDELRLICGTDGVTYNHECMLCFYNKEYGT [Cotumix NO: 17 NISKEQDGECGETVPMDCSRYPNTTSEDGKVTILCTKDFSFVCGTDGVTYDNE japonica] CMLCAHNVVQGTSVGKKHDGECRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPACPKDYRPVCGS DNKTYSNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLNHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MAMAGVFLLFSFALCGFLPDAAFGVEVDCSRFPNTTNEEGKDEVVCPDELRLI [Cotumix NO: 18 CGTDGVTYNHECMLCFYNKEYGTNISKEQDGECGETVPMDCSRYPNTTSED japonica] GKVTILCTKDFSFVCGTDGVTYDNECMLCAHNIVQGTSVGKKHDGECRKEL AAVSVDCSEYPKPACPKDYRPVCGSDNKTYSNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLNHF GKC Ovomucoid [Anas SEQ ID MAGVFVLLSLVLCCFPDAAFGVEVDCSRFPNTTNEEGKDVLLCTKELSPVCG platyrhynchos] NO: 19 TDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNISKDHDGECKEAVPADCSMYPNMTNEEGK MTLLCNKMFSPVCGTDGVTYDNECMLCAHNVEQGTSVGKKYDGKCKKEVA TVDCSGYPKPACTMEYMPLCGSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGE C Ovomucoid, SEQ ID QVDCSRFPNTTNEEGKEVLLCTKELSPVCGTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNI partial [Anas NO: 20 SKDHDGECKEAVPADCSMYPNMTNEEGKMTLLCNKMFSPVCGTDGVTYDN platyrhynchos] ECMLCAHNVEQGTSVGKKYDGKCKKEVATVSVDCSGYPKPACTMEYMPLC GSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVV Ovomucoid-like  SEQ ID MTMPGAFVVLSFVLCCFPDATFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCSKILSPIC [Tyto alba] NO: 21 GTDGVTYSNECLLCANNIEYGTNISKYHDGECKEFVPVNCSRYPNTTNEEGK VMLICNKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHNLEPGTSVGKKYDGECKKEIATV DCSDYPKPVCSLESMPLCGSDNKTYSNKCNFCNAVVDSNETLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MTMAGVFVLLSFALCCFPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPIC [Balearica NO: 22 GTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEVVPVDCSRYPNSTNEEGK regulorum VVMLCSKDLNPVCGTDGVTYDNECVLCAHNVESGTSVGKKYDGECKKETA gibbericeps] TVDCSDYPKPACTLEYMPFCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Turkey vulture  SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFALCSFPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPI [Cathartes aura] NO: 23 CGTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEFVPVDCSRYPNTTNEDG OVD (native KVVLLCNKDLSPICGTDGVTYDNECLLCARNLEPGTSVGKKYDGECKKEIAT sequence) VDCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC bolded is native signal sequence Ovomucoid-like  SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFTLCSFPDAAFGVEVDCSPYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCNKILSPICG [Cuculus canorus] NO: 24 TDGVTYSNECLLCAYNLEYGTNISKDYDGECKEVAPVDCSRHPNTTNEEGKV ELLCNKDLNPICGTNGVTYDNECLLCARNLESGTSIGKKYDGECKKEIATVDC SDYPKPVCTLEEMPLCGSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MTTAVVFVLLSFALCCFPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNSTNEEGKDVLVCPKILGPIC [Antrostomus NO: 25 GTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIQYGTNVSKDHDGECKEIVPVDCSRYPNTTNEEGK carolinensis] VVFLCNKNFDPVCGTDGDTYDNECMLCARSLEPGTTVGKKHDGECKREIAT VDCSDYPKPTCSAEDMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSRFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MTMTGVFVLLSFAICCFPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPICG [Cariama cristata] NO: 26 TDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEVVPVDCSKYPNTTNEEGKV VLLCSKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCARNLEPGSSVGKKYDGECKKEIATIDC SDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDSKTYDNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid-like SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFVLCCFPDAVFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPIC isoform X2 NO: 27 GTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEVVPVNCSRYPNTTNEEGK [Pygoscelis VVLRCSKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLMCARNLEPGAVVGKNYDGECKKEIAT adeliae] VDCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid-like SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSIALCCFPDAAFGVEVDCSAYSNTTSEEGKEVLSCTKILSPICG [Nipponia nippon] NO: 28 TDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNISKDHDGECKEVVSVDCSRYPNTTNEEGKA VLLCNKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHNLEPGTSVGKKYDGACKKEIATV DCSDYPKPVCTLEYLPLCGSDSKTYSNKCDFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid-like SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFALCCFPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPIC [Phaethon NO: 29 GTDGTTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKVVPVDCSKYPNTTNEDGK lepturus] VVLLCNKALSPICGTDRVTYDNECLMCAHNLEPGTSVGKKHDGECQKEVAT VDCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDGKTYSNKCNFCNAVVNSNGTLTLSHFEKC Ovomucoid-like SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFVLCCFFPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCAKILSPV isoform X1 NO: 30 CGTDGVTYSNECLLCAHNIENGTNVGKDHDGKCKEAVPVDCSRYPNTTDEE [Melopsittacus GKVVLLCNKDVSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHNLEAGTSVDKKNDSECKTED undulatus] TTLAAVSVDCSDYPKPVCTLEYLPLCGSDNKTYSNKCRFCNAVVDSNGTLTL SRFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFALCCSPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLACTKILSPIC [Podiceps NO: 31 GTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNMEYGTNVSKDHDGKCKEVVPVDCSRYPNTTNEEG cristatus] KVVLLCNKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCARNLEPGASVGKKYDGECKKEIA TVDCSDYPKPVCSLEHMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCTFCNAVVDSNGTLTLHFGKC Ovomucoid-like SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFALCCFPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGREVLVCTKILSPIC [Fulmarus NO: 32 GTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEVAPVGCSRYPNTTNEEGK glacialis] VVLLCNKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCARHLEPGTSVGKKYDGECKKEIATV DCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVLDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFALCCFPDAVFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPIC [Aptenodytes NO: 33 GTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEVVPVDCSRYPNTTNEEGK forsteri] VVLRCNKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLMCARNLEPGAIVGKKYDGECKKEIAT VDCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLILSHFGKC Ovomucoid-like SEQ ID MTTAGVFVLLSFVLCCFPDAVFGVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPIC isoform X1 NO: 34 GTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEVVPVDCSRYPNTTNEEGK [Pygoscelis VVLRCSKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLMCARNLEPGAVVGKNYDGECKKEIAT adeliae] VDCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Ovomucoid SEQ ID MSSQNQLPSRCRPLPGSQDLNKYYQPHCTGDRFCWLFYVTVEQFRHCICIYLQ isoform X1 NO: 35 LALERPSHEQSGQPADSRNTSTMTTAGVFVLLSFALCCFPDAVFGVEVDCSTY [Aptenodytes PNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPICGTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGE forsteri] CKEVVPVDCSRYPNTTNEEGKVVLRCNKDLSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLMCARN LEPGAIVGKKYDGECKKEIATVDCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCN FCNAVVDSNGTLILSHFGKC Ovomucoid, SEQ ID MTTAVVFVLLSFALCCFPDAAFGVEVDCSTYPNSTNEEGKDVLVCPKILGPIC partial NO: 36 GTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIQYGTNVSKDHDGECKEIVPVDCSRYPNTTNEEGK [Antrostomus VVFLCNKNFDPVCGTDGDTYDNECMLCARSLEPGTTVGKKHDGECKREIAT carolinensis] VDCSDYPKPTCSAEDMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVV rOVD as SEQ ID EAEAAEVDCSRFPNATDKEGKDVLVCNKDLRPICGTDGVTYTNDCLLCAYSI expressed in pichia NO: 37 EFGTNISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSEDGKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGV secreted form 1 TYDNECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGGCRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDR PLCGSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC rOVD as SEQ ID EEGVSLEKREAEAAEVDCSRFPNATDKEGKDVLVCNKDLRPICGTDGVTYTN expressed in pichia NO: 38 DCLLCAYSIEFGTNISKEHDGECKETVPMNCSSYANTTSEDGKVMVLCNRAF secreted form 2 NPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHKVEQGASVDKRHDGGCRKELAAVSVDCSEYP KPDCTAEDRPLCGSDNKTYGNKCNFCNAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC rOVD [gallus] SEQ ID MRFPSIFTAVLFAASSALAAPVNTTTEDETAQIPAEAVIGYSDLEGDFDVA coding sequence NO: 39 VLPFSNSTNNGLLFINTTIASIAAKEEGVSLEKREAEAAEVDCSRFPNATDK containing an EGKDVLVCNKDLRPICGTDGVTYTNDCLLCAYSIEFGTNISKEHDGECKETVP alpha mating MNCSSYANTTSEDGKVMVLCNRAFNPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCAHKVEQGA factor signal SVDKRHDGGCRKELAAVSVDCSEYPKPDCTAEDRPLCGSDNKTYGNKCNFC sequence (bolded) NAVVESNGTLTLSHFGKC as expressed in pichia Turkey vulture SEQ ID MRFPSIFTAVLFAASSALAAPVNTTTEDETAQIPAEAVIGYSDLEGDFDVA OVD coding NO: 40 VLPFSNSTNNGLLFINTTIASIAAKEEGVSLEKREAEAVEVDCSTYPNTTNE sequence EGKEVLVCTKILSPICGTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEFVP containing VDCSRYPNTTNEDGKVVLLCNKDLSPICGTDGVTYDNECLLCARNLEPGTSV secretion signals GKKYDGECKKEIATVDCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVV as expressed in DSNGTLTLSHFGKC pichia bolded is an alpha mating factor signal sequence Turkey vulture SEQ ID EAEAVEVDCSTYPNTTNEEGKEVLVCTKILSPICGTDGVTYSNECLLCAYNIE OVD in secreted NO: 41 YGTNVSKDHDGECKEFVPVDCSRYPNTTNEDGKVVLLCNKDLSPICGTDGVT form expressed in YDNECLLCARNLEPGTSVGKKYDGECKKEIATVDCSDYPKPVCSLEYMPLCG Pichia SDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVVDSNGTLTLSHFGKC Humming bird SEQ ID MTMAGVFVLLSFILCCFPDTAFGVEVDCSIYPNTTSEEGKEVLVCTETLSPIC OVD (native NO: 42 GSDGVTYNNECQLCAYNVEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEIVPVDCSRYPNTTEEGR sequence) VVMLCNKALSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCARNLESGTSVGKKFDGECKKEIAT bolded is the VDCTDYPKPVCSLDYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVMDSNGTLTLNHFGKC native signal sequence Humming bird SEQ ID MRFPSIFTAVLFAASSALAAPVNTTTEDETAQIPAEAVIGYSDLEGDFDVA OVD coding NO: 43  VLPFSNSTNNGLLFINTTIASIAAKEEGVSLDKREAEAVEVDCSIYPNTTSEE sequence as GKEVLVCTETLSPICGSDGVTYNNECQLCAYNVEYGTNVSKDHDGECKEIVP expressed in VDCSRYPNTTEEGRVVMLCNKALSPVCGTDGVTYDNECLLCARNLESGTSV Pichia GKKFDGECKKEIATVDCTDYPKPVCSLDYMPLCGSDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVM bolded is an alpha DSNGTLTLNHFGKC mating factor signal sequence Humming bird SEQ ID EAEAVEVDCSIYPNTTSEEGKEVLVCTETLSPICGSDGVTYNNECQLCAYNVE OVD in secreted NO: 44 YGTNVSKDHDGECKEIVPVDCSRYPNTTEEGRVVMLCNKALSPVCGTDGVT form from Pichia YDNECLLCARNLESGTSVGKKFDGECKKEIATVDCTDYPKPVCSLDYMPLCG SDSKTYSNKCNFCNAVMDSNGTLTLNHFGKC rOVL as expressed SEQ ID MRFPSIFTAVLFAASSALAAPVNTTTEDETAQIPAEAVIGYSDLEGDFDVA in pichia NO: 45 VLPFSNSTNNGLLFINTTIASIAAKEEGVSLDKREAEAKVFGRCELAAAMK bolded is an alpha RHGLDNYRGYSLGNWVCAAKFESNFNTQATNRNTDGSTDYGILQINSRWWC mating factor NDGRTPGSRNLCNIPCSALLSSDITASVNCAKKIVSDGNGMNAWVAWRNRCK signal sequence GTDVQAWIRGCRL rOVL as found SEQ ID EAEAKVFGRCELAAAMKRHGLDNYRGYSLGNWVCAAKFESNFNTQATNRN after secretion  NO: 46 TDGSTDYGILQINSRWWCNDGRTPGSRNLCNIPCSALLSSDITASVNCAKKIVS from Pichia DGNGMNAWVAWRNRCKGTDVQAWIRGCRL Lysozyme (OVL) SEQ ID KVFGRCELAAAMKRHGLDNYRGYSLGNWVCAAKFESNFNTQATNRNTDGS from Gallus gallus NO: 47 TDYGILQINSRWWCNDGRTPGSRNLCNIPCSALLSSDITASVNCAKKIVSDGN (without signal GMNAWVAWRNRCKGTDVQAWIRGCRL sequence) Lysozyme SEQ ID KVFGRCELAAAMKRHGLDNYRGYSLGNWVCVAKFESNFNTQATNRNTDGS NO: 48 TDYGILQINSRWWCNDGRTPGSRNLCNIPCSALLSSDITASVNCAKKIVSDGN GMSAWVAWRNRCKGTDVQAWIRGCRL Lysozyme C SEQ ID KVFERCELARTLKRLGMDGYRGISLANWMCLAKWESGYNTRATNYNAGDR (Human) NO: 49 STDYGIFQINSRYWCNDGKTPGAVNACHLSCSALLQDNIADAVACAKRVVRD PQGIRAWVAWRNRCQNRDVRQYVQGCGV Lysozyme C (Bos SEQ ID KVFERCELARTLKKLGLDGYKGVSLANWLCLTKWESSYNTKATNYNPSSEST taurus) NO: 50 DYGIFQINSKWWCNDGKTPNAVDGCHVSCRELMENDIAKAVACAKHIVSEQ GITAWVAWKSHCRDHDVSSYVEGCTL Lysozyme (OVL) SEQ ID MRSLLILVLCFLPLAALGKVFGRCELAAAMKRHGLDNYRGYSLGNWVCAA from Gallus gallus NO: 51 KFESNFNTQATNRNTDGSTDYGILQINSRWWCNDGRTPGSRNLCNIPCSALLS Native secretion SDITASVNCAKKIVSDGNGMNAWVAWRNRCKGTDVQAWIRGCRL signal is bolded OCH1:EndoH SEQ ID MAKADGSLLYYNPHNPPRRYYFYMAIFAVSVICVLYGPSQQLSSPKIDASAPA fusion protein NO: 52 PVKQGPTSVAYVEVNNNSMLNVGKYTLADGGGNAFDVAVIFAANINYDTGT KTAYLHFNENVQRVLDNAVTQIRPLQQQGIKVLLSVLGNHQGAGFANFPSQQ AASAFAKQLSDAVAKYGLDGVDFDDEYAEYGNNGTAQPNDSSFVHLVTALR ANMPDKIISLYNIGPAASRLSYGGVDVSDKFDYAWNPYYGTWQVPGIALPKA QLSPAAVEIGRTSRSTVADLARRTVDEGYGVYLTYNLDGGDRTADVSAFTRE LYGSEAVRTP

An rOVD or rOVL can include additional sequences. Expression of rOVD and rOVL in a host cell, for instance a Pichia species, a Saccharomyces species, a Trichoderma species, a Pseudomonas species may lead to an addition of peptides to the OVD or OVL sequence as part of post-transcriptional or post-translational modifications. Such peptides may not be part of the native OVD or OVL sequences. For instance, expressing an OVD sequence in a Pichia species, such as Komagataella phaffii and Komagataella pastoris may lead to addition of a peptide at the N-terminus or C-terminus. In some cases, a tetrapeptide EAEA (SEQ ID NO: 53) is added to the N-terminus of the OVD sequence upon expression in a host cell. In some embodiments, rOVD or rOVL or both include the amino acids EAEA at the N-terminus. An OVD or OVL protein sequence can include a signal sequence, such as for directing secretion from a host cell. In some cases, the signal sequence may be a native signal sequence. In some cases, a signal sequence may be a heterologous signal sequence. For instance, an alpha mating factor signal sequence can be fused to an OVD or OVL sequence for expression and secretion in a yeast cell such as a Pichia sp. In some cases, the signal sequence is removed in whole or in part when the protein, such as an rOVD or rOVL, is secreted from the host cell.

An rOVD and/or rOVL can be a non-naturally occurring variant of an OVD and/or OVL. Such variant can comprise one or more amino acid insertions, deletions, or substitutions relative to a native OVD or native OVL sequence.

Such an rOVD variant can have at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 1-44. A rOVL variant can have at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 45-51. The term “sequence identity” as used herein in the context of amino acid sequences is defined as the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence that are identical with the amino acid residues in a selected sequence, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN, ALIGN-2 or Megalign (DNASTAR) software. Those skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms needed to achieve maximal alignment over the full-length of the sequences being compared.

In some embodiments, a variant is one that confers additional features, such as reduced allergenicity. For example, an rOVD can include G162M and/or F167A (such as in SEQ ID NO: 3) relative to a wild type OVD sequence SEQ ID NO: 2 and have reduced allergenicity as compared to the wild type OVD sequence.

Depending on the host organism used to express the rOVD and/or rOVL, the rOVD and/or rOVL can have a glycosylation, acetylation, or phosphorylation pattern different from wildtype OVD (e.g., native OVD) or wildtype OVL (e.g., native OVL). For example, the rOVD and/or rOVL herein may or may not be glycosylated, acetylated, or phosphorylated. An rOVD and/or rOVL may have an avian, non-avian, microbial, non-microbial, mammalian, or non-mammalian glycosylation, acetylation, or phosphorylation pattern.

An rOVD and/or rOVL is recombinantly expressed in a host cell. As used herein, a “host” or “host cell” denotes here any protein production host selected or genetically modified to produce a desired product. Exemplary hosts include fungi, such as filamentous fungi, as well as bacteria, yeast, plant, insect, and mammalian cells. A host cell may be Arxula spp., Arxula adeninivorans, Kluyveromyces spp., Kluyveromyces lactis, Komagataella phaffii, Pichia spp., Pichia angusta, Pichia pastoris, Saccharomyces spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces spp., Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Yarrowia spp., Yarrowia lipolytica, Agaricus spp., Agaricus bisporus, Aspergillus spp., Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Bacillus subtilis, Colletotrichum spp., Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes, Endothia spp., Endothia parasitica, Escherichia coli, Fusarium spp., Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium solani, Mucor spp., Mucor miehei, Mucor pusillus, Myceliophthora spp., Myceliophthora thermophila, Neurospora spp., Neurospora crassa, Penicillium spp., Penicillium camemberti, Penicillium canescens, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium (Talaromyces) emersonii, Penicillium funiculo sum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Penicillium roqueforti, Pleurotus spp., Pleurotus ostreatus, Rhizomucor spp., Rhizomucor miehei, Rhizomucor pusillus, Rhizopus spp., Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizopus oligosporus, Rhizopus oryzae, Trichoderma spp., Trichoderma altroviride, Trichoderma reesei, or Trichoderma vireus. A host cell can be an organism that is approved as generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A recombinant protein can be recombinantly expressed in yeast, filamentous fungi or a bacterium. In some embodiments, recombinant protein is recombinantly expressed in a Pichia species (Komagataella phaffii and Komagataella pastoris), a Saccharomyces species, a Trichoderma species, a Trichoderma species, a Pseudomonas species or an E. coli species.

A host cell may be transformed to include one or more expression cassettes. As examples, a host cell may be transformed to express one expression cassette, two expression cassettes, three expression cassettes or more expression cassettes.

In some cases, rOVD and/or rOVL may be deglycosylated or modified in its glycosylation (e.g., chemically, enzymatically through endoglucanases (such as EndoH), endoglycosidases, mannosidases (such as alpha-1,2 mannosidase), PNGase F, β-Glycosidase, OCH1, Neuraminidase, β,1-4 Galactosidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidases, etc.), deacetylated (e.g., protein deacetylase, histone deacetylase, sirtuin), or dephosphorylated (e.g., acid phosphatase, lambda protein phosphatase, calf intestinal phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase). Deglycosylation, deacetylation or dephosphorylation may produce a protein that is more uniform or is capable of producing a composition with less variation.

The present disclosure contemplates modifying glycosylation of the recombinant OVD to alter or enhance one or more functional characteristics of the protein and/or its production. A host cell may comprise heterologous enzymes that modify the glycosylation pattern of ovomucoid. In some cases, one or more enzymes may be used for modifying the glycosylation of rOVD protein. The enzymes used modifying glycosylation of rOVD may be an enzyme or a fusion protein comprising an enzyme or active fragment of an enzyme, for example EndoH or a fusion of OCH1 to EndoH (such as to provide for Golgi retention of the EndoH enzyme) may be provided in a host cell.

Native ovomucoid (nOVD), such as isolated from a chicken or other avian egg, has a highly complex branched form of glycosylation. The glycosylation pattern comprises N-linked glycan structures such as N-acetylglucosamine units and N-linked mannose units. See, e.g., FIG. 1B (left-hand column). In some cases, the rOVD for use in a herein disclosed consumable composition and produced using the methods described herein has a glycosylation pattern which is different than the glycosylation pattern of nOVD. For example, when rOVD is produced in a Pichia sp., the protein may be highly glycosylated. FIG. 1C illustrates the glycosylation patterns of rOVD produced by P. pastoris, showing a complex branched glycosylation pattern. In some embodiments of the compositions and methods herein, rOVD is treated such that the glycosylation pattern is modified from that of nOVD and also modified as compared to rOVD produced by a Pichia sp. without such treatment. In some cases, the rOVD has no glycosylation. In other cases, the rOVD has reduced glycosylation. In some cases, the rOVD is modified by N-acetylglucosamine at one or more asparagine residues of the protein and lacks or is substantially devoid of N-linked mannosylation. See, e.g., FIG. 1B (right hand column). The changes in glycosylation described herein may lead to an increase in the solubility and clarity of rOVD as compared to other forms of protein such as whey proteins, soy proteins, pea proteins, and nOVD.

In some cases, an enzyme used for modifying glycosylation may be transformed into a host cell. In some cases, the enzyme used for modifying glycosylation may be transformed into the same host cell that produces rOVD. In some cases, the enzyme may be provided transiently to the host cell, such as by an inducible expression system. In some cases, when a host cell expresses an enzyme used for modifying glycosylation, the recombinant protein (e.g., rOVD and rOVL) is secreted from the host cell in the modified state.

In one example, a host cell producing OVD comprises a fusion of EndoH and OCH1 enzymes. An exemplary OCH1-EndoH protein sequence is provided as SEQ ID No: 52. In such cases, an rOVD produced from the host cell comprises a glycosylation pattern substantially different from an rOVD which is produced in a cell without such enzymes. The rOVD produced in such cases is also substantially different as compared to a native OVD (e.g., produced by a chicken or other avian egg). FIG. 1B shows a comparison of nOVD (with mannose residues) and rOVD glycosylation patterns wherein the rOVD was treated with EndoH and comprises an N-acetylglucosamine residue at the asparagine but no mannose residues. FIG. 1C shows the glycosylation pattern of rOVD produced in a host cell such as P. pastoris and where rOVD was not treated with EndoH and has both N-acetylglucosamine resides as well as the chains of N-linked mannose residues. Modification of the glycosylation of rOVD may provide nutritional benefits to rOVD, such as a higher nitrogen to carbon ratio, and may improve the clarity and solubility of the protein. In some cases, the modification of the glycosylation of rOVD is performed within the host cell that produces rOVD before the rOVD is secreted from the host cell and/or before isolating the rOVD. In some cases, modification of the glycosylation of rOVD is performed after its secretion and/or after isolating rOVD from the host cell.

The molecular weight or rOVD may be different as compared to nOVD. The molecular weight of the protein may be less than the molecular weight of nOVD or less than rOVD produced by the host cell where the glycosylation of rOVD is not modified. In embodiments, the molecular weight of an rOVD may be between 20 kDa and 40 kDa. In some cases, an rOVD with modified glycosylation has a different molecular weight, such as compared to a native OVD (as produced by an avian host species) or as compared to a host cell that glycosylates the rOVD, such as where the rOVD includes N-linked mannosylation. In some cases, the molecular weight of rOVD is greater than the molecular weight of the rOVD that is completely devoid of post-translational modifications. or an rOVD that lacks all forms of N-linked glycosylation.

Expression of an rOVD or rOVL can be provided by an expression vector, a plasmid, a nucleic acid integrated into the host genome or other means. For example, a vector for expression can include: (a) a promoter element, (b) a signal peptide, (c) a heterologous OVD or OVL sequence, and (d) a terminator element.

Expression vectors that can be used for expression of OVD and OVL include those containing an expression cassette with elements (a), (b), (c) and (d). In some embodiments, the signal peptide (c) need not be included in the vector. In general, the expression cassette is designed to mediate the transcription of the transgene when integrated into the genome of a cognate host microorganism.

To aide in the amplification of the vector prior to transformation into the host microorganism, a replication origin (e) may be contained in the vector (such as PUC_ORIC and PUC (DNA2.0)). To aide in the selection of microorganism stably transformed with the expression vector, the vector may also include a selection marker (f) such as URA3 gene and Zeocin resistance gene (ZeoR). The expression vector may also contain a restriction enzyme site (g) that allows for linearization of the expression vector prior to transformation into the host microorganism to facilitate the expression vectors stable integration into the host genome. In some embodiments the expression vector may contain any subset of the elements (b), (e), (f), and (g), including none of elements (b), (e), (f), and (g). Other expression elements and vector element known to one of skill in the art can be used in combination or substituted for the elements described herein.

Exemplary promoter elements (a) may include, but are not limited to, a constitutive promoter, inducible promoter, and hybrid promoter. Promoters include, but are not limited to, acu-5, adh1+, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1, ADH2, ADH4), AHSB4m, AINV, alcA, α-amylase, alternative oxidase (AOD), alcohol oxidase I (AOX1), alcohol oxidase 2 (AOX2), AXDH, B2, CaMV, cellobiohydrolase I (cbh1), ccg-1, cDNA1, cellular filament polypeptide (cfp), cpc-2, ctr4+, CUP1, dihydroxyacetone synthase (DAS), enolase (ENO, ENO1), formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FLD1), FMD, formate dehydrogenase (FMDH), G1, G6, GAA, GAL1, GAL2, GAL3, GAL4, GAL5, GAL6, GAL7, GAL8, GAL9, GAL10, GCW14, gdhA, gla-1, α-glucoamylase (glaA), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpdA, GAP, GAPDH), phosphoglycerate mutase (GPM1), glycerol kinase (GUT1), HSP82, invl+, isocitrate lyase (ICL1), acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (ILV5), KAR2, KEX2, β-galactosidase (lac4), LEU2, melO, MET3, methanol oxidase (MOX), nmt1, NSP, pcbC, PET9, peroxin 8 (PEX8), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK, PGK1), pho1, PHO5, PHO89, phosphatidylinositol synthase (PIS1), PYK1, pyruvate kinase (pki1), RPS7, sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), 3-phosphoserine aminotransferase (SER1), SSA4, SV40, TEF, translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1), THI11, homoserine kinase (THR1), tpi, TPS1, triose phosphate isomerase (TPI), XRP2, YPT1, a sequence or subsequence chosen from SEQ ID Nos: 121 to 132, and any combination thereof. Illustrative inducible promoters include methanol-induced promoters, e.g., DAS1 and pPEX11.

A signal peptide (b), also known as a signal sequence, targeting signal, localization signal, localization sequence, signal peptide, transit peptide, leader sequence, or leader peptide, may support secretion of a protein or polynucleotide. Extracellular secretion of a recombinant or heterologously expressed protein from a host cell may facilitate protein purification. A signal peptide may be derived from a precursor (e.g., prepropeptide, preprotein) of a protein. Signal peptides can be derived from a precursor of a protein other than the signal peptides in native OVD and/or OVL.

Any nucleic acid sequence that encodes OVD and/or OVL can be used as (c). Preferably such sequence is codon optimized for the host cell.

Exemplary transcriptional terminator elements include, but are not limited to, acu-5, adh1+, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1, ADH2, ADH4), AHSB4m, AINV, alcA, α-amylase, alternative oxidase (AOD), alcohol oxidase I (AOX1), alcohol oxidase 2 (AOX2), AXDH, B2, CaMV, cellobiohydrolase I (cbh1), ccg-1, cDNA1, cellular filament polypeptide (cfp), cpc-2, ctr4+, CUP1, dihydroxyacetone synthase (DAS), enolase (ENO, ENO1), formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FLD1), FMD, formate dehydrogenase (FMDH), G1, G6, GAA, GAL1, GAL2, GAL3, GAL4, GAL5, GAL6, GAL7, GAL8, GAL9, GAL10, GCW14, gdhA, gla-1, α-glucoamylase (glaA), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpdA, GAP, GAPDH), phosphoglycerate mutase (GPM1), glycerol kinase (GUT1), HSP82, invl+, isocitrate lyase (ICL1), acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (ILV5), KAR2, KEX2, β-galactosidase (lac4), LEU2, melO, MET3, methanol oxidase (MOX), nmt1, NSP, pcbC, PET9, peroxin 8 (PEX8), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK, PGK1), pho1, PHO5, PHO89, phosphatidylinositol synthase (PIS1), PYK1, pyruvate kinase (pki1), RPS7, sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), 3-phosphoserine aminotransferase (SER1), SSA4, SV40, TEF, translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1), THI11, homoserine kinase (THR1), tpi, TPS1, triose phosphate isomerase (TPI1), XRP2, YPT1, and any combination thereof.

Exemplary selectable markers (f) may include but are not limited to: an antibiotic resistance gene (e.g. zeocin, ampicillin, blasticidin, kanamycin, nurseothricin, chloroamphenicol, tetracycline, triclosan, ganciclovir, and any combination thereof), an auxotrophic marker (e.g. ade1, arg4, his4, ura3, met2, and any combination thereof).

In one example, a vector for expression in Pichia sp. can include an AOX1 promoter operably linked to a signal peptide (alpha mating factor) that is fused in frame with a nucleic acid sequence encoding OVD and/or OVL, and a terminator element (AOX1 terminator) immediately downstream of the nucleic acid sequence encoding OVD and/or OVL.

In another example, a vector comprising a DAS1 promoter is operably linked to a signal peptide (alpha mating factor) that is fused in frame with a nucleic acid sequence encoding OVD and/or OVL and a terminator element (AOX1 terminator) immediately downstream of OVD and/or OVL.

A recombinant protein described herein may be secreted from the one or more host cells. In some embodiments, rOVD and/or rOVL protein is secreted from the host cell. The secreted rOVD and/or rOVL may be isolated and purified by methods such as centrifugation, fractionation, filtration, affinity purification and other methods for separating protein from cells, liquid and solid media components and other cellular products and byproducts. In some embodiments, rOVD and/or rOVL is produced in a Pichia Sp. and secreted from the host cells into the culture media. The secreted rOVD and/or rOVL is then separated from other media components for further use.

In some cases, multiple vectors comprising OVD may be transfected into one or more host cells. A host cell may comprise more than one copy of OVD. A single host cell may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 copies of OVD. A single host cell may comprise one or more vectors for the expression of OVD. A single host cell may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 vectors for OVD expression. Each vector in the host cell may drive the expression of OVD using the same promoter. Alternatively, different promoters may be used in different vectors for OVD expression.

The consumable products and rOVD and/or rOVL compositions herein can be essentially free of any microbial cells or microbial cell contaminants. For instance, rOVD and/or rOVL may be isolated from a culture comprising microbial growth.

rOVD may be treated chemically or enzymatically before it is purified for use in a consumable composition. Such treatments may be performed to reduce impurities in an rOVD protein composition. Such treatments may be performed to improve the sensory attributes of the rOVD protein composition. Treatments may include but are not limited to purification steps, filtration, chemical treatments, and enzymatic treatments.

In some cases, rOVD protein and compositions containing rOVD protein, including forms of rOVD with modified glycosylation (e.g., such forms with N-acetylglucosamine but lacking N-linked mannose residues) may be treated with oxidizing agent or an oxygen-generating agent to modify components of the rOVD composition, such as impurities. The oxidizing agent or oxygen-generating agent may comprise hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, activated chlorine dioxide, bubbled oxygen or ozone. The treatment may improve the solubility and clarity of an rOVD composition. The treatment may reduce the odor of an rOVD composition. The treatment may neutralize the color of an rOVD composition; for instance, the rOVD composition may lose color after a treatment, e.g., to a less intense/lighter coloration. In embodiments, the color may change form greenish to yellowish and/or from yellowish to essentially colorless.

In some examples, rOVD may be treated with an oxidizing agent or an oxygen-generating agent, e.g., hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate, before it is purified for use in a consumable composition. A culture medium comprising secreted or isolated rOVD may be treated with an oxygen-generating agent, e.g., hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate. Using hydrogen peroxide as an example, a hydrogen peroxide treatment may be followed by one or more wash steps and/or filtration steps to remove hydrogen peroxide from the resulting rOVD compositions. Such steps may be performed following treatments with other oxygen-generating agents, e.g., sodium percarbonate.

In some cases, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for treating rOVD may be from 1% to 20%. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for treating rOVD may be at least 1%. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for treating rOVD may be at most 20%. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for treating rOVD may be 1% to 2%, 1% to 5%, 1% to 7%, 1% to 10%, 1% to 12%, 1% to 15%, 1% to 17%, 1% to 20%, 2% to 5%, 2% to 7%, 2% to 10%, 2% to 12%, 2% to 15%, 2% to 17%, 2% to 20%, 5% to 7%, 5% to 10%, 5% to 12%, 5% to 15%, 5% to 17%, 5% to 20%, 7% to 10%, 7% to 12%, 7% to 15%, 7% to 17%, 7% to 20%, 10% to 12%, 10% to 15%, 10% to 17%, 10% to 20%, 12% to 15%, 12% to 17%, 12% to 20%, 15% to 17%, 15% to 20%, or 17% to 20% weight per total weight (w/w) and/or weight per total volume (w/v). The concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for treating rOVD may be about 1%, 2%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17%, or 20% w/w or w/v. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for treating rOVD may be at least 1%, 2%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15% or 17% w/w or w/v. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for treating rOVD may be at most 2%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17%, or 20% w/w or w/v.

rOVD may be treated with hydrogen peroxide for a limited duration of time. For instance, rOVD may be exposed to hydrogen peroxide for at least 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 5 hours, 7 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours, 15 hours, 17 hours, 20 hours, 22 hours, 24 hours, 26 hours, 28 hours, 30 hours, 34 hours, 36 hours, 40 hours, 44 hours or 48 hours. Hydrogen peroxide may be added to the rOVD culture media throughout the culturing process.

rOVD may be treated with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of about 3 to 6. rOVD may be treated with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of about 3, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 5, 5.2, 5.4, 5.6, 5.8 or 6. rOVD may treated with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of at least 3, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 5, 5.2, 5.4, 5.6 or 5.8. rOVD may treated with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of at most 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 5, 5.2, 5.4, 5.6, 5.8 or 6.

rOVD may be filtered before treatment with an oxygen-generating agent. In some cases, rOVD may be filtered before and after treatment with an oxygen-generating agent.

Definitions

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular cases only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the single forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “contain,” “containing,” “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof as used in either the present disclosure and/or in the claims, are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

The term “about” or “approximately” means within an acceptable error range for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, e.g., the limitations of the measurement system. For example, “about” can mean 10% greater than or less than the stated value. In another example, “about” can mean within 1 or more than 1 standard deviation, per the practice in the given value. Where particular values are described in the application and claims, unless otherwise stated the term “about” should be assumed to mean an acceptable error range for the particular value.

The term “substantially” is meant to be a significant extent, for the most part; or essentially. In other words, the term substantially may mean nearly exact to the desired attribute or slightly different from the exact attribute. Substantially may be indistinguishable from the desired attribute. Substantially may be distinguishable from the desired attribute but the difference is unimportant or negligible.

Any aspect or embodiment described herein can be combined with any other aspect or embodiment as disclosed herein.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are given for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The present examples, along with the methods described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

Example 1: Expression Constructs, Transformation, Protein Purification and Processing

Two expression constructs were created for expression of OVD (SEQ ID NO: 1) in Pichia pastoris. The first construct included the Alcohol oxidase 1 (AOX1) promoter. An OVD coding sequenced was fused in-frame with the alpha mating factor signal sequence downstream of the promoter sequence. A transcriptional terminator from the AOX1 gene was placed downstream of the OVD sequence. The expression construct was placed into a Kpas-URA 3 vector.

A second expression construct was created containing the methanol-inducible DAS1 promoter (ATCC No. 28485) upstream of the alpha mating factor signal sequence fused in frame with a nucleic acid sequence encoding the same OVD protein sequence as in the first expression construct. A transcriptional terminator from the AOX1 gene was placed downstream of the OVD sequence.

In both expression constructs, the OVD sequence was that of chicken (Gallus gallus) having amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Both expression constructs were transformed into Pichia pastoris. Successful integration of the two constructs were confirmed by genomic sequencing.

Fermentation: Recombinant OVD (rOVD) from each expression construct was produced in a bioreactor at ambient conditions. A seed train for the fermentation process began with the inoculation of shake flasks with liquid growth broth. The inoculated shake flasks were kept in a shaker after which the grown Pichia pastoris was transferred to a production scale reactor.

The culture was grown at 30° C., at a set pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). The culture was fed with a carbon source.

Secreted rOVD was purified by separating cells from the liquid growth broth, performing multiple filtration steps, performing chromatography using and drying the final protein product to produce pure rOVD powder.

Example 2: Expression Construct, Transformation, Protein Purification and Processing

Three expression constructs were created for expression of a mature form of OVD (SEQ D NO: 1) in Pichia pastoris. The first construct included the AOX1 promoter. An OVD coding sequenced was fused in-frame with the alpha mating factor signal sequence downstream of the promoter sequence (SEQ ID NO: 39). A transcriptional terminator from the AOX1 gene was placed downstream of the OVD sequence. The host cells had eleven copies of OVD, ten of which were in the hybrid promoter system, with five driven by a shortened pAOX1. The eleventh copy was driven by a full-sized pAOX1 promoter.

A second expression construct was created containing a nucleic acid encoding the P. pastoris transcription factor HAC1 under the control of a strong methanol-inducible promoter. A transcriptional terminator from the AOX1 gene was placed downstream of the HAC1 sequence.

A third expression construct was created encoding a fusion protein. The construct comprises a nucleic acid that encodes the first 48 residues of Pichia OCH1 protein fused to a catalytically active version of the Streptomyces coelicoflavus EndoH (SEQ ID NO.: 52) and under a strong methanol-inducible promoter, pPEX11. A transcriptional terminator from the AOX1 gene was placed downstream of the EndoH-OCH1 fusion protein sequence.

The P. pastoris strain was modified to remove cytoplasmic killer plasmids and then further modified to have a deletion in the AOX1 gene. This deletion generated a methanol-utilization slow (mutS) phenotype that reduces the strain's ability to consume methanol. This base strain was transformed with the three expression constructs.

Linear cassettes of methanol-inducible promoter: ScPrePro (Saccharomyces pre-pro sequence)::ovomucoid::AOX1term; linear cassettes of methanol-inducible promoter::HAC1::AOX1term; and a linear cassette of methanol-inducible promoter::EndoH-OCH1::AOX1term were introduced into the base P. pastoris strain using standard electroporation methods. FIG. 1A illustrates the vector constructs used for the expression of rOVD.

Fermentation: Recombinant OVD from each expression construct was produced in a bioreactor at ambient conditions. A seed train for the fermentation process began with the inoculation of shake flasks with liquid growth broth. The inoculated shake flasks were kept in a shaker after which the grown P. pastoris was transferred to a production-scale reactor.

The culture was grown at 30° C., at a set pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). The culture was fed with a carbon source.

To expand production, an rOVD P. pastoris seed strain is removed from cryo-storage and thawed to room temperature. Contents of the thawed seed vials are used to inoculate liquid seed culture media in baffled flasks which were grown at 30° C. in shaking incubators. These seed flasks are then transferred and grown in a series of larger and larger seed fermenters (number to vary depending on scale) containing a basal salt media, trace metals, and glucose. Temperature in the seed reactors are controlled at 30° C., pH at 5, and DO at 30%. pH is maintained by feeding ammonia hydroxide which also acts as a nitrogen source. Once sufficient cell mass is reached, the grown rOVD P. pastorisis inoculated in a production-scale reactor containing basal salt media, trace metals, and glucose. Like in the seed tanks, the culture is also controlled at 30° C., pH 5 and 30% DO throughout the process. pH is again maintained by feeding ammonia hydroxide. During the initial batch glucose phase, the culture is left to consume all glucose and subsequently-produced ethanol. Once the target cell density is achieved and glucose and ethanol concentrations are confirmed to be zero, the glucose fed-batch growth phase is initiated. In this phase, glucose is fed until the culture reaches a target cell density. Glucose is fed at a limiting rate to prevent ethanol from building up in the presence of non-zero glucose concentrations. In the final induction phase, the culture is co-fed glucose and methanol which induces it to produce rOVD. Glucose is fed at an amount to produce a desired growth rate, while methanol is fed to maintain the methanol concentration at 1% to ensure that expression is consistently induced. Regular samples are taken throughout the fermentation process for analyses of specific process parameters (e.g., cell density, glucose/methanol concentrations, product titer, and quality). After a designated amount of fermentation time, secreted rOVD is collected and transferred for downstream processing.

The rOVD products were purified by separating cells from the liquid growth broth, performing multiple filtration steps, performing chromatography, and/or drying the final protein product to produce pure rOVD powder.

Post-translation modification from the OCH1-EndoH fusion protein resulted in the removal of the alpha factor pre-pro sequence. N-terminal sequencing results showed imprecise cleavage of the N-terminal pro sequence by the Pichia host post-transcription machinery fusing an additional four amino acid residues (major) or 6 amino acid residues (minor) to the N-terminus of the produced rOVD (SEQ ID NO: 37) or (SEQ ID NO:38) in comparison to the amino acid sequence of mature OVD (SEQ ID NO:1).

The molecular weight of rOVD from Pichia was compared against native chicken ovomucoid (nOVD) using SDS-PAGE. The rOVD showed a difference in migration. To ascertain whether the difference in gel migration was due to differential post-translational glycosylation, deglycosylated native ovomucoid was treated with PNGase F, an enzyme that specifically deglycosylates proteins (BioLabs 2020), and compared to the rOVD sample. The deglycosylated native ovomucoid (nOVD+PNGaseF) displayed the same band patterns and molecular weight as three rOVD samples tested (FIG. 1D). The difference in glycosylation is attributed to the action of the OCH1-EndoH in the Pichia strain, such that rOVD has only the core N-acetylglucosamine unit attached to the Asn residue instead of the complex branched glycosylation (that includes mannose) of nOVD from chicken egg white (FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C).

Mass spectrometry analysis of rOVD expressed in Pichia without EndoH is shown to have eight different N-glycan structures (FIG. 1C). The structures include Man9 GlcNAc2, Man9 GlcNAc2 Hex, Man9 GlcNAc2Hex2, Man9 GlcNAc2Hex3, Man9 GlcNAc2Hex4, Man9 GlcNAc2 Hex5,v Man9 GlcNAc2Hex6, and Man9 GlcNAc2 Hex7. Table 2 below shows the percentage of N-linked glycans on the rOVD sample produced without endoglycosidase treatment.

TABLE 2 N-linked glycans from sample detected by MALDI TOF/TOF MS. Permethylated mass (m/z)¹ Text description of structures Percentage 2396.2 Man₉ GlcNAc₂ 5.6 2600.3 Man₉ GlcNAc₂ Hex 25.1 2804.4 Man₉ GlcNAc₂ Hex₂ 31.6 3008.5 Man₉ GlcNAc₂ Hex₃ 18.2 3212.6 Man₉ GlcNAc₂ Hex₄ 6.0 3416.7 Man₉ GlcNAc₂ Hex₅ 7.2 3620.8 Man₉ GlcNAc₂ Hex₆ 3.8 3824.9 Man₉ GlcNAc₂ Hex₇ 2.6

Example 3: Solubility and Clarity Testing at Varying rOVD Concentrations

Lyophilized rOVD (from Example 2) was blended into aqueous solution (distilled water) at different concentrations and pHs. Clarity and solubility of the rOVD solutions was then assessed visually (e.g., for turbidity, precipitate, viscosity, and color) as well as by measuring absorbance at 600 nm.

FIG. 2 shows the absorbance at 600 nm of deionized water compared with the absorbance at 600 nm of a solution comprising rOVD in deionized water at a protein concentration of 4.23% w/v. The rOVD solution had a pH of 4.11. The deionized water had an absorbance of 0.037 (D600). The solution with 4.23% w/v rOVD had an absorbance of 0.047, an increase of 27%. The photo in FIG. 2 of the rOVD solution reveals a clear and colorless solution with no precipitate and no apparent viscosity changes in appearance and visual flow of liquid.

Example 4: Solubility and Clarity Testing at Varying Temperatures

The aqueous 30% rOVD (w/v) samples of Example 3, at pH 4.06 or pH 6.3 were incubated at room temperature and subjected to three heat treatments: pasteurization, hot fill, and retorting. The clarity and solubility of rOVD was then assessed visually (e.g., for turbidity, precipitate, viscosity, and color) and by measuring absorbance at 600 nm.

Heat treatments on each sample were executed as follows:

For pasteurization, the samples were heated to 72° C. for 1 minute and then placed in an ice bath for 10 minutes. Following the ice bath, the samples were placed at room temperature and then assessed for solubility and clarity.

For hot fill, the samples were heated to 85° C. for 30 seconds and then placed at room temperature for assessment of solubility and clarity.

For retorting, the samples were heated to 121° C. for 15 minutes at 19 psi and then kept at room temperature for assessment of solubility and clarity.

FIG. 3 shows the results for pH, absorbance and clarity of an rOVD solution comprising 30% rOVD in deionized water. The rOVD was surprisingly soluble in deionized water at 30% (w/v based on protein amount) at either pH 4.06 or pH 6.3. The photos of the rOVD solutions at both pH 4.06 and 6.3 look clear, pale green, and viscous, though less so under the “pre-processing” condition, which was prior to a heat treatment. It can be concluded from FIG. 3 that rOVD can remain soluble in both acidic (pH ˜4.0) and slightly acidic (pH ˜6) solutions at a concentration of rOVD of 30% w/v. More specifically, the 30% rOVD solution at pH 4.06 had an OD600 of 0.101 after pasteurization and an OD600 of 0.104 after hot filling. At the less acidic pH of 6.3, the OD600 of the 30% rOVD solution after pasteurization was 0.089 and after hot filling was 0.094. As such, there appeared to be greater clarity and solubility of the rOVD at higher pH values.

FIG. 4 shows the photos from the pH 4.06 experiments of FIG. 3. It can be concluded from FIG. 4 that rOVD can surprisingly remain in solution following heat application. 30% w/v.

Example 5: Solubility and Clarity Testing at Varying Temperatures and pH

Lyophilized rOVD (from Example 2) was blended into aqueous solution (distilled water) at concentration of 9% (w/v). Sodium citrate buffer (0.1M) was used to adjust the pH of the solutions to pH's of 2.5, 4 or 6, as shown in Table 3 below:

TABLE 3 Composition of the citrate buffer at pH 2.5, 4 or 6 Citric acid Sodium citrate DI water (mL) (mL) (mL) pH rOVD 49.2 0.8 50 2.5 9% w/v 37 13 50 4 9% w/v 6 44 50 6 9% w/v

Following pH adjustment, separate aqueous rOVD samples at each pH were incubated at room temperature and subjected to three types of heat treatments: pasteurization, hot fill and retorting (as described below). The clarity and solubility of rOVD was then assessed visually (e.g., for turbidity, precipitate, viscosity, and color) and by measuring absorbance at 600 nm.

The heat treatments on each sample were executed as follows:

For pasteurization, the samples were heated to 72° C. for 1 minute and then placed in an ice bath for 10 minutes. Following the ice bath, the samples were placed at room temperature and then assessed for solubility and clarity.

For hot fill, the samples were heated to 85° C. for 30 seconds and then placed at room temperature for assessment of solubility and clarity.

For retorting, the samples were heated to 121° C. for 15 minutes at 19 psi and then kept at room temperature for assessment of solubility and clarity.

The results of visual inspection and OD600 measurements of the samples are provided in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

Pictures of the samples are shown in FIG. 5A. Effect of different heating treatments on absorbance (600 nm) of rOVD solution and buffer.

The addition of rOVD was found to increase the absorbance of the buffer solution. The absorbance of the rOVD solution remained the same following pasteurization and hot fill (no significant difference between pH 2.5 and pH 4). The absorbance was reduced following retorting. It was surprising that at different pH's, the rOVD solution remained clear even after the heating treatments of pasteurization and hot fill. An exception was that the rOVD solution coagulated at retorting conditions at pH 4 or pH 6. These results indicate that rOVD of the present disclosure remains soluble in solution at different acidic pHs, before and after application of heat.

Example 6: Solubility and Clarity of rOVD in Commercially-Available Beverages

Based on carbonation levels published in literature (Table 4, below), San Pellegrino® was selected to represent a low carbonated beverage whereas Diet Coke™ was selected as a beverage with higher carbonation level. Gatorade™ and Red Bull™ represented the (non-carbonated) Energy Drink category. Pedialyte® was selected to study effect of electrolytes in a beverage on rOVD solubility.

TABLE 4 Carbonation levels for various commercially-available beverages Typical carbonation levels Volume g/L Lightly Sparkling 2 4 Fruit juice carbonate   2.5 5 Lemonade 3.0-3.5 6-7  Cola 4 8 Mixer 4.5-5.0 9-10

Lyophilized rOVD was blended into various drink solutions at a range of concentrations of 30-50% (% expressed as weight protein/volume). Surprisingly rOVD of the present disclosure was soluble at 30% w/v in Pedialyte®, San Pellegrino®, Diet Coke™, and Gatorade™. Red Bull™, was solubility at 26% w/v protein. At higher concentrations (e.g., >30%) rOVD exhibited solubility at some concentrations but was accompanied by a decrease in clarity and an increase in viscosity. At even higher concentrations (e.g., approaching 50% w/v), rOVD was no longer soluble and in some samples did not wet when placed into the drink solution. Results are shown in the tables below for concentrations 30% and higher (26% for Redbull™). A marked color change was seen with added rOVD for beverages that are colorless, whereas for colored beverages (e.g., Diet Coke™), little to no color change was observed with rOVD addition.

TABLE 5 Solubility study of rOVD in San Pellegrino ® pH of San Protein concentration pH of San Pellegrino ® (%) Visual inspection Pellegrino ® with rOVD 50 Protein powder was not completely wetted. Did not form a solution 40 Protein powder was completely wetted. Formed a thick, pale green syrup-like mixture 35 Viscous suspension, pale brown syrup-like 30 Clear solution, pale green, viscous 6.46 5.03

TABLE 6 Solubility study of rOVD in Diet Coke ® pH of pH of Diet Protein Diet Coke ® concentration Coke ® with (%) Visual inspection base rOVD 50 Protein powder was not completely wetted. Did not form a solution 40 Protein powder was completely wetted. Formed a thick, pale brown syrup-like mixture 35 Viscous suspension, pale brown syrup- like 30 Clear solution, brown, viscous 3.0 3.55

TABLE 7 Solubility study of rOVD in Gatorade ™ (Thirst Quencher lemon-lime) Protein pH of concentration pH of Gatorade ™ (%) Visual inspection Gatorade ™ with rOVD 50 Protein powder was not wetted much. Did not form a solution. 40 Protein powder was not completely wetted. Formed a thick, pale yellow syrup-like mixture 35 Viscous suspension, pale yellow syrup- like 30 Clear solution, 2.78 3.7 pale yellow/green, viscous

TABLE 8 Solubility study of rOVD in Red Bull ™ pH of Red Protein pH of Bull ™ concentration Red with (%) Visual inspection Bull ™ rOVD 50 Protein powder was not wetted much. Did not form a solution. 40 Protein powder was not completely wetted. Formed a thick, off white syrup- like mixture. 35 Very viscous suspension, off white syrup-like. 30 Very viscous turbid pale green solution. 26 Clear solution, pale yellow/green, 3.26 3.63 viscous.

TABLE 9 Solubility study of rOVD in Pedialyte ® pH of Protein Pedialyte ® concentration pH of with (%) Visual inspection Pedialyte ® rOVD 50 Protein powder was not completely wetted. Did not form a solution. 40 Protein powder was completely wetted. Formed a thick, off white syrup-like mixture. 35 Viscous suspension, pale brown syrup- like. 30 Clear solution, 5.51 5.75 pale green, viscous.

Pictures of the starting drinks (no rOVD) and the 30% rOVD solutions (26% for RedBull™) are shown in FIG. 6A. Absorbance results for rOVD solutions are shown in the graphs of FIG. 6B. The rOVD solutions at 30% w/v (26% w/v for RedBull™) were assessed using absorbance at 600 nm. Change in pH upon rOVD addition was dependent on the beverage composition and initial base pH.

Example 7: Production of Recombinant OVL Protein in Pichia

A recombinant lysozyme (rOVL) strain was made by transforming the Pichia species Komagataella phaffii with an expression cassette containing the OVL of SEQ ID NO: 45 expressed under the control of a methanol-inducible promoter. The OVL coding sequence encoded the mature OVL protein fused to the coding sequence for the alpha factor pre-pro secretion signal from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The rOVL strain secreted rOVL when grown in media containing methanol. The broth containing the rOVL recombinant protein was centrifuged to remove cells and the resulting supernatant was processed similar to that of rOVD, as described above.

Example 8: OVD and OVL Combinations

In this example, solutions were made containing 2.5% (w/v) rOVL and nOVD at 9% (w/v). The resulting protein blend contained 21.7% rOVL and 78.3% and.

The rOVL+OVD blend was then heat treated under the following conditions:

Pasteurization: 72° C. for 1 minute, followed by 10 minutes in an ice bath.

Hot Fill: 85° C. for 30 seconds.

Retorting: 121° C. for 15 minutes at 19 psi.

A control OVD sample kept at room temperature was used to mimic aseptic processing conditions. Sodium citrate buffer (0.1M) was used to adjust the pH of the test solutions as described in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Composition of the citrate buffer at pH 2.5, 4 and 6 Citric acid Sodium citrate DI water (mL) (mL) (mL) pH 49.2 0.8 50 2.5 37 13 50 4 6 44 50 6

As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 and Table 11, when the rOVL+OVD blend was heat treated by pasteurization, hot fill or retorting. The clarity/solubility of the rOVL+OVD blend, as measured by absorbance at 600 nm, remained unaffected at pH 2.5 compared to OVD control samples left at room temperature. At pH 4, the rOVL+OVD blend retained its clarity/solubility when pasteurized or hot filled. Retorting conditions produced turbidity, as measured by increased optical density (Table 11). Heat treatment at pH 6 resulted in loss of clarity for all samples.

TABLE 11 Absorbance of samples containing rOVL and native OVD at 600 nm Control Pasteurization Hot Fill Retorting pH 2.5 rOVL + OVD   0.043 AB 0.039 B 0.038 B   0.045 AB OVD   0.044 AB*   0.042 AB 0.050 A   0.046 AB rOVL 0.038 B 0.038 B 0.037 B 0.037 B pH 4 rOVL + OVD 0.044 C 0.065 C 0.056 C 0.154 A OVD 0.055 C 0.166 A 0.126 B 0.315 D rOVL 0.049 C 0.042 C 0.042 C 0.040 C pH 6 rOVL + OVD 0.063 E 0.610 B 0.384 C 0.898 B OVD 0.041 E 0.202 D 0.228 D 0.525 B rOVL 0.039 E 1.425 A 0.588 B white precipitate F *samples within each sub-table sharing the same letters are statistically similar (p > 0.05)

As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 and Table 12, native OVL (nOVL) samples had a similar effect on OVD as seen with the recombinant OVL (rOVL). At pH 2.5, the clarity/solubility of nOVL+OVD solutions were maintained when heat treated at all three conditions (pasteurization, hot fill or retorting). The nOVL+OVD solutions maintained their clarity at pH 4, with turbidity development only under retort conditions. pH 6 was not suitable for maintaining clarity after heat treatment.

TABLE 12 Absorbance of samples containing commercial native OVL (nOVL) and native OVD (nOVD) at 600 nm Control Pasteurization Hot Fill Retorting pH 2.5 nOVL + OVD   0.043 AB   0.046 AB   0.043 AB 0.051 B OVD   0.044 AB*   0.042 AB 0.050 B   0.046 AB nOVL 0.037 A 0.038 A 0.038 A 0.036 A pH 4 nOVL + OVD   0.052 CD 0.073 C 0.075 C 0.174 A OVD   0.055 CD* 0.166 A 0.126 B 0.315 E nOVL 0.037 D 0.042 D 0.042 D 0.044 D pH 6 nOVL + OVD 0.054 A 0.445 F  0.322 E 0.954 H OVD  0.041 A*   0.042 CD 0.228 D 0.525 G nOVL 0.041 A 0.092 B 0.178 C Coagulated *samples within each sub-table sharing the same letters are statistically similar (p > 0.05)

The addition of rOVL to OVD in a sample at room temperature or heat processed increased the protein content of the sample without affecting the clarity or solubility of the sample. Thus, the addition of rOVL to OVD to a beverage increases the protein content of the beverage without affecting clarity or solubility, or sensory quality (appearance, smell, flavor and mouthfeel) either at room temperature or after heat processing.

Samples were made containing recombinant OVD of the present disclosure (rOVD) at 9% (w/v), and 2.5% (w/v) rOVL. The resulting protein blend contained 78.3% rOVD and 21.7% rOVL. FIG. 14 compares solutions at room temperature and after different heat treatments at pH 2.5, 4, 6: rOVL+rOVD with rOVD control.

TABLE 13 Absorbance of samples containing rOVL and rOVD at 600 nm Pasteur- Room Temp ization Hot Fill Retorting pH 2.5 rOVD + rOVL   0.063 AB* 0.066 A 0.061 B 0.061 B rOVD 0.062 B 0.061 B 0.062 B 0.056 C pH 4 rOVD + rOVL  0.065 B* 0.109 A 0.066 B White coagulate rOVD 0.062 B 0.060 B 0.061 B White coagulate pH 6 rOVD + rOVL  0.066 C* 0.256 A 0.091 B White coagulate rOVD 0.072 C 0.056 D 0.058 D White coagulate *samples within each sub-table sharing the same letters are statistically similar (p > 0.05)

Example 9: Comparison to Whey Protein Solutions

To compare results from rOVD to an alternate protein (whey), rOVD or whey proteins were solubilized in water at a concentration of 9% (w/v). Four commercially-available whey protein isolates (WP1, WP2, WP3 and WP4) were compared to rOVD of the present disclosure. The pH was measured by Hanna Lab pH probe for each sample and the absorbance was measured by SpectroMax at 600 nm wavelength. The results are provided in Table 14. The appearance was assessed by visual inspection; the odor was assessed by sniffing test; and the flavor was assessed by taste using a panel of 3 trained personnel.

TABLE 14 Solution characteristics of whey protein solutions (WPI) compared to rOVD solutions. WPI 1 WPI 2 WPI 3 WPI 4 rOVD pH in 8.45% 3.15 6.53 3.92 6.13 5.05 solution Absorbance at 0.039 ± 0.001 0.423 ± 0.123 0.344 ± 0.038 0.792 ± 0.016 0.0002 ± 0.000 600 nm Appearance clear, cloudy, slightly white, clear, yellow yellow cloudy, turbid colorless yellow Odor lactic negative cow/goat milky no acid dairy shed odor odor notes odor Flavor salty, plastic slightly neutral slight lactic taste, acidic, taste, no protein acid unpleasant negative acidity, taste notes odor dairy milk like & taste flavor/odor flavor

Whey protein isolates (WPI 1 and WPI 3) were at a concentration of 9 g per 100 ml distilled water, adjusted to pH 2, 4, or 6. Comparative results between whey protein solutions (WPI 1 and WPI 3) and rOVD solutions at pH 2, 4 and 6 are shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B. The rOVD solutions show substantially higher solution clarity as compared to whey protein solutions at the same concentrations.

Example 10: Comparison of Clarity of Various Protein Water Solutions

In this example, the solubility of recombinant ovomucoid (rOVD) protein of the present disclosure was compared to the other proteins.

Appropriate amounts of acidic whey protein isolates (WP1 with 90% w/w protein and WP2 with 92.7% w/w protein), nOVD—85% protein content, rOVD—85.6% protein content, pea protein—90% protein content; and soy protein—90% protein content, were blended (using vortex) with water to form 5% protein solutions.

TABLE 15 List of Ingredients and their proportions. Pea WP1 WP2 protein Soy (neutral) (acidic) nOVD rOVD (acidic) protein (5%) (5%) (5%) (5%) (5%) (5%) Ingredient % % % % % % Protein 5.6 5.4 5.9 5.8 5.6 5.6 powder DI water 94.4 94.6 94.1 94.2 94.4 94.4 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100

FIG. 16 shows examples of the various protein solutions.

100 μl of each protein solution was aliquoted into a flat bottom, clear 96 well plate in three replicates (as shown in Table 15). The absorbance of each sample was measured at 600 nm with a plate adapter on Spectramax. Results are provided in Table 16.

TABLE 16 Absorbance results of various protein solutions. Whey Whey protein protein pea isolated isolated protein soy (neutral) (acidic) nOVD rOVD (acidic) protein Water OD600 0.1455 0.0527 0.0432 0.0456 0.9860 0.8821 0.0355

Example 11: Comparison of Suspension Stability of Protein Fortified Solutions

In this example, the feasibility of fortifying orange juice (with added calcium and vitamin D) with rOVD was determined.

Orange juice (without pulp; with 350 mg Calcium, and 2.5 mcg vitamin D per serving size of 8 fluid oz) was protein fortified using nOVD, whey protein, or rOVD (86% protein content). The samples were treated as follows. The protein of interest was added at various amounts to 10 g orange juice and mixed until completely dissolved to produce a fortified orange juice. The pH of the original orange juice with no protein fortification (as a control sample) was measured and considered as a target pH. The pH of fortified orange juice samples was adjusted using 1M citric acid and/or baking soda to become close to the target pH. The protein solubility and/or precipitation was visually observed in all samples before a heat treatment. A heat treatment of 70° C. for 1 min was applied to sufficiently reduce the microbial load in orange juice. Then, the samples were immediately cooled to 4° C. for 10 minutes.

The physical and suspension stability of the samples were evaluated immediately after heating process (FIG. 17A) and after 48 hours storage at 4° C. (FIG. 17B).

The suspension stability of orange juice fortified with 15% of nOVD or 15% of rOVD were found to be similar to the control, which included no protein fortification. After 48 hours, orange juice fortified with 15% of whey protein had slightly formed a gel, thus a separation was not observed in this sample. rOVD at a high concentration (30%) did not precipitate and was completely soluble in the orange juice, even in the presence of 0.25 mcg vitamin D and 35 mg calcium.

rOVD was also found to be heat stable and did not form a gel during pasteurization. In terms of appearance, no significant difference was observed between the control and the orange juice fortified with 15% of nOVD or with rOVD at two levels: 15% or 20%.

Example 12: Comparison of Suspension Stability of Protein-Fortified Jelly

In this example, the feasibility of fortifying jelly with rOVD was evaluated.

Jello™ jelly was used for protein fortification using nOVD (80% protein), rOVD (86-93% protein), unflavored whey isolate proteins (87.5-92.7% protein), unflavored gelatin (92% protein). The samples were prepared as follows:

Control jelly method: hot water was added to the jelly mix power and stirred for two minutes until completely dissolved. Cold water was then added to fill 2 cm of 1 oz cups, capped and then refrigerated.

Fortified jelly method: Hot water was added to the jelly mix power and stirred for two minutes until completely dissolved. Cold water was gradually added to the protein powder and slowly stirred to dissolve. The dissolved jelly solution was transferred in the protein mixture and mixed completely. 2 cm of 1 oz cups were filled, capped and then refrigerated.

Protein jelly formulations: List of ingredients and their proportions used in the control and other experimental jelly samples, with specific protein of interest, are presented below in Table 17.

TABLE 17 List of Ingredients Control Whey 20% nOVD 20% rOVD 20% Ingredient % % % % Jello 15.23 11.7 11.4 11.7 Cold water 42.38 32.7 31.8 32.5 Hot water 42.38 32.7 31.8 32.5 Protein 0 22.9 25.0 23.3 Total g 100 100 100 100

(* amounts of ingredient adjusted based on % protein w/w content) The textures of the jelly samples were measured using Brookfield Conn.3 Texture Analyzer (Table 18). From each jelly sample three readings were taken. Jellies were centrally located under the test probe and compressed to a distance of 5 mm following the test settings below. Adhesiveness (also known as stickiness) measured the energy required to separate the attractive forces between the surface of the jelly and the surface of the probe (which approximates the stickiness on a tongue, teeth, and/or palate). Hardness is the force required to compress the jelly to attain a given deformation.

TABLE 18 Texture Analyzer Test Settings Test Compression test probe TA 5 Textural properties Hardness (g) and adhesiveness (mj) Speed 1 mm/sec Distance 5 mm Sample size cylinder shape; H: 20 mm D: 36 mm Trigger load 4.5 g

In terms of adhesiveness, no statistically-significant difference between jelly fortified with 20% nOVD and the control was observed. On the other hand, the adhesiveness values for jelly with 20% of whey and rOVD proteins were significantly lower (Table 19).

TABLE 19 Texture Analysis Results. Jelly 20% whey Treatments control protein 20% nOVD 20% rOVD Hardness (g) *53.2 ± 1.7a   32.8 ± 3.4 b  31.1 ± 4.3 b  32.8 ± 3.4 b  Adhesiveness (mj) 0.09 ± 0.03 a 0.03 ± 0.005 c 0.08 ± 0.01 ab 0.04 ± 0.02 bc Jelly pH 4.3 5.5 5 5.5 *Mean ± Std Dev; Jelly samples containing different letters for a given quantitative parameter (for example Hardness) are statistically different to each other at p < 0.05.

Jelly fortified with 20% of whey, nOVD, or rOVD were significantly less hard than the control jelly.

No significant difference was observed between the clarity of the control jelly and jelly fortified with 20% of rOVD (p<0.05). Jelly fortified with whey isolate protein was opaque and unclear. (FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B).

The texture of Jello™ fortified with 20% of whey protein was very soft and not comparable to the control. (FIG. 18C).

The texture of Jello™ with either 16% or 20% of hydrolyzed gelatin was rubbery, with strong bounce and resistance to deformation. In this experiment aliquoting of the samples was not possible, since the jelly set very quickly at room temperature. (FIG. 18D and FIG. 18E).

Example 13: Testing Recombinant OVD from Various Species

In this example, properties of rOVD having amino acid sequences of non-chicken, avian species was evaluated.

Two expression constructs were created for expression for two non-chicken rOVD (SEQ ID NO: 40 called rOVD-T (Turkey vulture) and SEQ ID NO:43 called rOVD-H (humming bird) hereafter) in Pichia pastoris and expressed, purified and processed similar to Example 2. Lyophilized rOVD samples were blended into aqueous solution (distilled water) at different concentrations and pHs. Clarity and solubility of the rOVD solutions was then assessed visually (e.g., for turbidity, precipitate, viscosity, and color) as well as by measuring absorbance at 600 nm.

FIG. 19A shows protein-water samples comprising rOVD-H in deionized water at protein concentrations of 4.23%, 10%, 20% or 30% w/v. The solutions had a pH of 4.15. Like the chicken rOVD of the previous examples, FIG. 19A reveals a clear and colorless solution with no precipitate and no apparent viscosity changes in appearance and visual flow of liquid for solutions comprising up to 20% rOVD-H.

FIG. 19B shows protein-water samples comprising rOVD-T in deionized water at protein concentrations of 4.23%, 10% or 20% w/v. The solutions had a pH of 3.69. Like the chicken rOVD of the previous examples, FIG. 19B reveals a clear solution with no precipitate and no apparent viscosity changes in appearance and visual flow of liquid for solutions comprising up to 10% rOVD-T. At 20% the protein did not fully dissolve.

The samples were incubated at room temperature and subjected to three types of heat treatments: pasteurization, hot fill, or retorting as in Example 4 or Example 5. The clarity and solubility of the various rOVD were then assessed visually (e.g., for turbidity, precipitate, viscosity, and color) as well as by measuring absorbance at 600 nm. Table 20 shows the results for pH, absorbance, and clarity of rOVD solution comprising 4.23% rOVD-H or rOVD-T solutions in buffer or water. Data in the “pre-processing” column was measured before any heat treatment. It was surprising that at different pH's the rOVD solutions remained clear even after extreme heating like pasteurization, hot fill, or retort. These results indicate that rOVD samples remain soluble in solution at different acidic pHs, before and after application of heat.

These data show that the favorable properties disclosed above for the recombinant chicken OVD (see Example 2) are also obtainable with other recombinant OVDs.

TABLE 20 Solubility and clarity study of rOVD-H and rOVD-T OD Pre- OD post OD post processing pasteur- OD post autoclave/ Sample pH at RT ization hot fill retort rOVD-H + buffer 2.5 0.0569 0.0547 0.0548 0.0537 rOVD-T + buffer 0.058 0.059 0.057 0.056 rOVD-H + buffer 4 0.0546 0.0544 0.0552 0.0641 rOVD-T + buffer 0.055 0.055 0.057 0.055 rOVD-H + buffer 6 0.053 0.053 0.055 0.061 rOVD-T + buffer 0.054 0.054 0.054 0.068 rOVD-H + water 3.5-3.9 0.067 0.084 0.090 0.236 rOVD-T + water 0.097 0.106 0.116 0.219

Example 14: Comparison of Bovine Trypsin Inhibitory Activity

rOVD as produced in Example 2 was utilized in this Example. The trypsin inhibition activity was compared between native OVD (nOVD) and recombinant OVD (rOVD) in a standard assay (AACC #22-40.01) using bovine trypsin. A comparison of rOVD with nOVD is shown in Table 21. One trypsin unit is arbitrarily defined as an increase of 0.01 absorbance unit at 410 nm per 10 ml of reaction mixture under the conditions of the assay. Trypsin inhibitor activity is expressed in terms of trypsin inhibitor units (TIU). Three different batches of rOVD (samples 1-3) were compared to a native chicken ovomucoid.

TABLE 21 Comparison of trypsin inhibition activity Product Trypsin inhibition activity Sample 1 8190 TIU/g Sample 2 8180 TIU/g Sample 3 8649 TIU/g Native chicken Ovomucoid 13721 TIU/g 

Example 15: Comparison of In Vitro Digestibility

The in vitro digestibility of rOVD samples was measured using the Protein Digestibility Assay procedure (Megazyme, Medallion Labs). A comparison of rOVD samples with nOVD is shown in Table 22. The data demonstrates equivalent in vitro digestibility between native ovomucoid and rOVD.

TABLE 22 Comparison in vitro digestibility Product In-vitro digestibility Sample 1 93% Sample 2 93% Sample 3 93% Native chicken Ovomucoid 92%

Example 16: Ovomucoid Specifications

Based upon the characterization of the produced rOVD compositions and the properties of native chicken ovomucoid, product specifications (Table 23) and quality control specifications (Table 24) were constructed for an rOVD of the present disclosure

Protein percentages were measured using AOAC 2006. See, Protein (crude) in animal feed, combustion method, 990.03. In: Official methods of analysis of AOAC International. 18th ed. Gaithersburg: ASA-SSA Inc. and AOAC 2006. Proximate Analysis and Calculations Crude Protein Meat and Meat Products Including Pet Foods—item 80. In: Official methods of analysis Association of Analytical Communities, Gaithersburg, Md., 17th edition, Reference data: Method 992.15 (39.1.16); NFNAP; NITR; NT.

Moisture percentages were measured using Association of Official Analytical Chemists. 1995. In Official Methods of Analysis.

Carbohydrate percentages were measured using methods described in J AOAC Int. 2012 September-October; 95(5): 1392-7.

Fat by acid hydrolysis were measured using AOAC International. 2012. Official Method Fat (crude) or ether extraction in pet food. Gravimetric method, 954.02. In: Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International, 19th ed., AOAC International, Gaithersburg, Md., USA, 2012.

Standard plate count was measured using AOAC International. 2005. Aerobic plate count in foods, dry rehydratable film, method 990.12. AOAC International, 17th ed. Gaithersburg, Md. Yeast and mold counts were measured using AOAC Official Method 997.02. Yeast and Mold Counts in Foods Dry Rehydratable Film Method (Petrifilm™ Method) First Action 1997 Final Action 2000 Salmonella was measured using AOAC International. 2005. Salmonella in selected foods, BAX automated system, method 2003.09. In Official methods of analysis of AOAC International, 17th ed., AOAC International, Gaithersburg, Md. Total coliform was measured using AOAC International. 2005. E. coli count in foods, dry rehydratable film, method 991.14. In: Official methods of analysis of AOAC International, 17th ed. AOAC International, Gaithersburg, Md.

TABLE 23 Specification for Ovomucoid produced by P. pastoris DFB-003 Physical properties Specification Source Yeast fermentation-derived Appearance White to off-white amorphous powder Solubility Soluble in water Specification Method Chemical Properties (in powder as is) Protein >75%  AOAC 990.03^(1a) AOAC 992.15^(1b) Moisture Maximum 10.0% AOAC 925.09² Carbohydrate Maximum 20% Calculated Ash Maximum 2.0% AOAC 942.05³ Fat by Acid Hydrolysis <0.1% AOAC 954.02⁴ Hg <1 ppm ICP-AES⁵ Pb <1 ppm ICP-AES⁵ As <1 ppm ICP-AES⁵ Cd <1 ppm ICP-AES⁵ Microbial Properties (in powder as is) Standard Plate Count <10000 CFU/g AOAC 990.12⁶ Yeast & Mold <100 CFU/g AOAC 997.02⁷ Salmonella Not Detected/25 g AOAC 2003.09⁸ E. coli Not Detected/25 g AOAC 991.14⁹ Total coliform ≤30 CFU/g AOAC 991.14⁹

TABLE 24 Quality control results for three lots of Ovomucoid produced by P. pastoris DFB-003 Analysis Parameter Specification SOL19303 SOL19317 SOL19351 Protein >75% 75.31 75.06 79.94 Protein (% dry weight >80% 82.2 82.5 87.8 powder) Moisture and Volatiles <10% 8.4 9 9 Carbohydrates, Calculated <20% 15.53 15.28 11.06 Ash  <2% 0.76 0.66 <0.4 Fat by Acid Hydrolysis <0.1%  <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 Arsenic (As) <1 mg/kg <0.010 <0.010 <0.010 Mercury (Hg) <1 mg/kg <0.010 <0.010 <0.010 Lead (Pb) <1 mg/kg 0.03 0.063 0.168 Cadmium (Cd) <1 mg/kg <0.010 <0.010 <0.010 Aerobic Plate Count <10000 CFU/g <10 <10 <10 Molds <100 CFU/g <10 <10 <10 Yeast <100 CFU/g <10 <10 <10 Salmonella Not Detected/25 g Not Detected Not Detected Not Detected Escherichia Coli Not Detected/25 g Not Detected Not Detected Not Detected Coliforms <10 CFU/g <10 <10 <10 Absence of source organism Not detected */ Not detected Not detected Not detected from product mg sample Absence of encoding DNA Not detected **/ Not detected Not detected Not detected from product mg sample * Limit of detection for source organism = 11 CFU/mg sample ** Limit of detection for encoding DNA = 10 femtogram

Example 17: Absence of Production Organism and DNA in rOVD Preparations

rOVD powder was plated on PGA plates and if samples yielded colonies, these were re-streaked and analyzed by PCR for the presence of the Pichia organism. This procedure was applied to three lots of rOVD powder produced from the recombinant strain. No manufacturing organism was detected in any of the lots (Table 24).

PCR analysis was used to confirm that no encoding pieces of recombinant DNA was present in the rOVD preparation using primers for the rOVD cassette. OVD plasmid DNA was used as a positive control, producing a 570 bp band corresponding the OVD PCR product. This band was absent in all three rOVD powder lots tested.

Example 18: Comparison Immunoreactivity

Western Blot comparisons were performed on three rOVD lots using primary anti-ovomucoid antibody from rabbit (NBP1-74676 Novus) at a 1:2500 dilution. The secondary antibody used was goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (AP ab97048 Abcam). Molecular weight marker preparation used was from Bio Rad (161-0394). The comparison showed the same immunoreactivity for rOVD samples, native ovomucoid from chicken egg white (nOVD) and deglycosylated native ovomucoid (nOVD+PNGaseF) (FIG. 20).

Example 19: Fermentation and Purification of rOVD

An rOVD P. pastoris seed strain was removed from cryo-storage and thawed to room temperature. Contents of the thawed seed vials were used to inoculate liquid culture media in the primary fermenter and grown at process temperature until target cell density was reached. Then, the grown rOVD P. pastoris was transferred to a production-scale reactor. The culture was grown in the production bioreactor at target fermentation conditions and fed a series of substrates. The fermentation was analyzed for culture purity at multiple times during the process.

The recombinant OVD was purified by separating the cells from the liquid medium by centrifugation, followed by microfiltration. Fermentation broth was first brought to pH 3 and diluted with DI water. Cells were removed using bucket centrifugation. The collected supernatant was brought to pH 7 using sodium hydroxide and a 0.2 μm filtration was performed followed by diafiltration with five volumes of deionized water. The permeates of the 0.2 μm were adjusted to pH 5 and then concentrated via 5 kDa TFF membrane. The 5 kDa retentate was precipitated using 65% saturation ammonium sulfate. After salt addition, the pH was adjusted to pH 4-4.1 with phosphoric acid. The mixture was incubated with agitation at room temperature overnight. The next day, precipitates were spun down using bucket centrifugation. The rOVD precipitates were dissolved in DI water and pH adjusted to 5 using sodium hydroxide. The rOVD solution was then diafiltered and then the retentate was passed through 0.2 μm bottle filters.

A spray dryer was used to dehydrate the rOVD solution into rOVD powder.

Example 20: Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment During rOVD Purification

Liquid rOVD was concentrated to 50-60 g/L using a 5 kDa TFF membrane. The rOVD solution was passed through a 0.2 μm filter to remove microbes. Hydrogen peroxide, an oxygen-generating agent, in an amount to equal 10% volume of the solution was slowly added to the rOVD solution while stirring. The mixture was incubated with agitation and monitored to ensure color change from a dark green-brown color before treatment to a pale-yellow color after treatment. After 1.5 hours, diafiltration was performed via 5 kDa TFF membrane with 5 volumes of DI water. The rOVD in the 5 kDa diafiltration retentate was precipitated using ammonium sulfate at 65% salt saturation at room temperature. After addition of salt, the pH was adjusted to pH4-4.1 with phosphoric acid. The mixture was incubated with agitation overnight to form precipitates. The next day, the precipitates were spun down using bucket centrifugation. The precipitates were removed, dissolved in deionized water and pH adjusted to 5 using sodium hydroxide. Five kDa TFF membranes were cleaned and diafiltration was performed using volumes of DI water until a retentate conductivity of less than 2.0 mS was achieved. The retentate was passed through 0.2 μm bottle filters. The filtered rOVD solution was then spray dried and stored.

Example 21: Reprocessed rOVD Treated with Hydrogen Peroxide

OVD powder was dissolved in deionized water to 50-60 g/L and filtered through a hollow fiber 0.2 μm tangential flow filter, then through a 0.2 μm bottle filter. Hydrogen peroxide in an amount to provide a 10% solution was slowly stirred into the rOVD solution and incubated for thirty minutes. The treated solution was washed through a 5 kDa membrane using 5 volumes of DI water.

Ammonium sulfate was slowly added to the retentate solution and the pH changed to between 4 to 4.1 using phosphoric acid. After overnight incubation with medium agitation, the solution was centrifuged, and supernatants discarded. Precipitates were collected, dissolved in DI water, and brought to pH 5 using sodium hydroxide. The protein solution was desalted with a 5 kDa membrane and filtered through a 0.2 μm bottle filter. Then, the protein solution was spray dried to produce rOVD powder.

Example 22: Sensory Testing and Results

The rOVD sample and the H₂O₂ reprocessed sample called RE-RC were analyzed for their sensory characteristics to determine the effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment.

A solution of each dry sample was prepared with Deionized water at 4.23% w/v concentration. Both samples were presented to the panelists in the same session, monadically. Trained panelists (n=6) evaluated both the samples in terms of their appearance, smell, taste, mouthfeel and aftertaste. For each category, the panelists described the perceived attributes and then rated each attribute's intensity (Kemp et al. 2009) using the intensity rating scale (Table 25).

Table 26 shows that the hydrogen peroxide-treated sample was lighter in color, and had a cleaner sensory profile, with fewer sensory attributes compared to the control sample.

TABLE 25 Attribute Intensity Rating Scale SMELL, FLAVOR, AFTERTASTE & APPEARANCE APPEARANCE (Color MOUTHFEEL (Intensity rating for (Clarity) Intensity) “Individual attributes in each category) 0 = clear 0 = no color 0 = not detected 1 = very slightly turbid 1 = very pale 1 = very mild 2 = slightly turbid 2 = pale 2 = mild 3 = mild/moderate 3 = moderate intensity 3 = moderate turbidity 4 = moderately turbid 4 = dark 4 = strong 5 = very turbid 5 = very dark 5 = very strong

TABLE 26 Sensory evaluation results Powder Batch Name rOVD H₂O₂ Reprocessed RE-RC Appearance pale yellow/green (2), clear (0), bubbly, not very pale yellow (1), clear (0), easy to mix (sediments visible) very frothy Smell mild yeasty (2), mild/moderate musty (2.5), very mild musty (1) mild nutty (2) Taste mild buttermilk (2), mild/moderate toasted very mild yeasty (1) nutty (2.5), mild yeasty (2) Mouthfeel None (0) None (0) Aftertaste None (0) None (0)

Example 23: H₂O₂ Treated rOVD Tested for Solubility and Clarity

Solubility and clarity of the control and hydrogen peroxide treated sample solutions (at 4.23% w/v) were measured in terms of optical density (A₆₀₀) using a Spectrophotometer. Lower absorbance value (at 600 nm wavelength) indicates higher clarity and solubility of the sample solution.

The hydrogen peroxide-treated sample had lower absorbance (Table 27) and a paler color compared to the control. This indicated that the treatment resulted in improved appearance, in terms of less intense color and clear solution. These features are illustrated in FIG. 21.

TABLE 27 Absorbance (at 600 nm) of sample solutions (4.23% w/v) rOVD H₂O₂ Reprocessed RE-RC Absorbance 0.068 0.046

Example 24: Protein Bar Preparation and Testing for Hardness and Sensory Likeability

Homogenous mixtures of chopped dates chopped nuts (almonds and walnuts), and cocoa was combined with a protein powder of interest as shown in in Table 28. The amount of dates and nuts was reduced in formulations that included protein powders as seen in Table 29. The dates:nuts ratio was kept at a constant 4.6 level. Egg white protein powder and nOVD were prepared at inclusion levels of 2, 8, 16 or 23% while rOVD was prepared at inclusion levels of 2, 4, 8, 12, or 16%. (Table 28 to Table 31).

Half of each mixture was baked in an oven at 350 degrees F. for ten minutes. The other half of each mixture was tested as an unbaked mixture.

TABLE 28 List of Ingredients and their proportions used in control formulation Ingredients Amount (%) Dates 78.67 Nuts 17.33 Cocoa 4 Total 100

TABLE 29 List of Ingredients and their proportions used in egg white protein formulations Ingredients 2% protein 8% protein 16% protein 23% protein 32% protein Dates 76.67 71 63.33 56.67 48 Nuts 17 15.67 14 12.50 10.67 Cocoa 4 4 4 4 4 Protein 2.33 9.33 18.67 26.83 37.33 Total 100 100 100 100 100

TABLE 30 List of Ingredients and their proportions used in nOVD formulations Ingredients 2% protein 8% protein 16% protein 23% protein Dates 76.67 70.67 62.33 55.25 Nuts 16.83 15.33 13.67 12 Cocoa 4 4 4 4 Protein 2.5 10 20 28.75 Total 100 100 100 100

TABLE 31 List of Ingredients and their proportions used in rOVD formulations: Ingredients 2% protein 4% protein 8% protein 12% protein 16% protein Dates 76.71 74.95 71.14 67.28 63.61 Nuts 16.99 16.46 15.66 14.93 14 Cocoa 4 4 4 4 4 Protein 2.3 4.59 9.20 13.79 18.39 Total 100 100 100 100 100

Example 25: Protein Bar Hardness/Texture Test

The textural properties of the baked and unbaked protein bars as prepared in Example 25 were measured using a CT3 Brookfield Texture Analyzer (1500 g load cell). A three-point bend test was used to snap, bend and measure the hardness of the protein bars. One sample for each protein inclusion level was analyzed. The test parameters used are shown in Table 32.

The hardness results for the baked protein bars were much higher than the hardness results in the unbaked version. Within the unbaked protein bars, 8% inclusion for all protein powders resulted in similar hardness values. Hardness profile for all unbaked protein bars gradually increased as the protein inclusion rates increased. Hardness values at 16% and 23% protein inclusion were also comparable for egg white protein, native OVD and rOVD. See, Table 33 and Table 34.

Egg white protein could be included up to 32% protein levels. A maximum of 23% protein inclusion levels in a protein bar, was observed for native and rOVD. Higher protein concentrations were unable to incorporate in a protein bar form.

The hardness value for nOVD at 8% inclusion level was much lower than egg white protein and rOVD. However, similar hardness values were observed for all protein bar samples at an inclusion level of 16% and 23%. The baked protein bars with native and rOVD exhibited a porous crumb and hard outer shell for higher inclusion levels of 16% and 23%. Overall, 8% protein powder inclusion level was the most desirable (higher palatability and texture attributes) across all protein powders.

TABLE 32 Test parameters used for three-point bend test to measure hardness using a CT3 Brookfield Texture Analyzer Test type Rupture test Probe TA7 blade Base Fixture TA-TPB Trigger load 5 g Correction load 30 g Test speed 3 mm/s Sample rate 30 points/sec Distance between support arms 2.5 cm Textural properties Hardness (g)

TABLE 33 Test results for unbaked protein bar samples Hardness (g) for protein inclusion levels Control Sample (0%) 8% 12% 16% 23% 32% Egg 86.33 186.2 386.6 299.2 434.6 393.6 white protein nOVD 173.2 463.8 360 411 n/a rOVD 182.2 291.2 338.2 402.4 n/a

TABLE 34 Test results for baked protein bar samples Hardness (g) for protein inclusion levels Control Sample (0%) 8% 12% 16% 23% 32% Egg 1193 1525.2 1490 1544.4 1506.6 1534.2 white protein nOVD 1072.8 1054.4 1506.2 1433.8 n/a rOVD 1380.4 1499 1504 1565.4 n/a

Example 26: Protein Bar Sensory Test

Samples prepared as described in Example 26 were evaluated for quality descriptors by trained in-house panelists.

The quality attributes tested included appearance, smell, taste/flavor, mouthfeel/texture and overall liking in a nine-point scale from 1: Dislike extremely, 2: Dislike very much, 3: Dislike moderately, 4: Dislike slightly, 5: Neither like nor dislike, 6: Like slightly, 7: Like moderately, 8: Like very much, and 9: Like extremely.

TABLE 35 Sensory likeability results for 8% protein bar samples 8% Protein inclusion 8% Protein inclusion (Unbaked) (Baked) Egg Egg Attribute Unbaked white Baked white Likeability Control protein nOVD rOVD Control protein nOVD rOVD Appearance 8 7.5 8 6.5 9 7.5 8 6.5 Smell 9 8 9 8 9 7 9 8 Taste/Flavor 9 6.5 4 7 9 6 4 7 Texture/ 6 6 4.5 8 9 4 4.5 8 Mouthfeel Overall 7 7 4 7 9 5 4 7

For the control unbaked sample, panelists noted that it had a good appearance, slightly soft texture/bite but overall good taste and no unpleasant aftertaste. For the baked version, panelists liked every attribute of the sample to the highest score and gave it a perfect score.

For the unbaked (8%) protein bars, panelists provided the following comments: the egg white protein bar tasted like tootsie roll, it was sweet and cohesive but had a dry mouthfeel; the native OVD bar was less sticky as compared to control but had a strong OVD-like, metallic and acidic taste and with a dry mouthfeel; and the rOVD bar had no acidity, was slightly less sweet but was cohesive and had a pleasant aftertaste.

For the baked (8%) protein bars, panelists provided the following comments: the egg white protein bar was slightly acidic, had a cracker/toasted cereal like taste and aftertaste; the native OVD bar was harder and tacky as compared to control and was more palatable; and the rOVD bars lacked acidity, were chewy, and tacky which the panelists liked.

TABLE 36 Sensory likeability results for 16% protein bar samples 16% Protein inclusion 16% Protein inclusion (Unbaked) (Baked) Egg Egg Attribute Unbaked white Baked white Likeability Control protein nOVD rOVD Control protein nOVD rOVD Appearance 8 7 8 5 9 5 6 5 Smell 9 5.5 7 5.5 9 2 7 5 Taste/Flavor 9 5 1 7 9 3 1 6 Texture/ 6 4 −1 8 9 2 1 2 Mouthfeel Overall 7 4 1 6.5 9 2 2 6

For the baked (16%) protein bars, panelists provided the following comments: the egg white protein bar tasted toasted and bready, was whiteish and had a powdery mouthfeel; the nOVD bar was very hard and difficult to bite, looked like a hard bread, had a strong sour taste which left a burning sensation; the rOVD bar had muted sweetness, a mealy and a toasty flavor, with no acidity or aftertaste, and it was tacky but hard.

Overall, rOVD bars performed better than nOVD bars and comparable to egg white protein samples in tests described in Example 25 to Example 27. A maximum of 23% protein inclusion for nOVD and rOVD seemed possible while egg white protein samples were able to go as high as 32% inclusion levels. Eight percent bars were deemed as the best inclusion levels for all the protein bars.

Twelve percent rOVD bars had slight acidity in the unbaked bars, however no acidity was perceived in the baked bars. The baked bars were chewy, tacky and hard.

Example 27: rOVD Salad Dressing

A salad dressing was prepared using a L5M-A homogenizer (Silverson) at ambient temperature. Emulsions were prepared by dispersing protein powder and salt into the aqueous phase (water and vinegar) and stirring at 2000 rpm for 5 minutes using General Purpose Disintegrating Head. After mixing, canola oil was added in a controlled manner and homogenized at 6000 rpm for 15 minutes using Square Hole High Shear Screen to make a stable oil-in-water emulsion.

All emulsion samples were transferred into glass tubes, sealed with a plastic cap, and stored at 4 C for seven days. The stabilities of the samples were evaluated by visually monitoring the height of the visible serum separation at the bottom phase with storage time. Physical stability was monitored until no visual phase separation happened. The stability of the emulsion was expressed as: % serum=(Ht/H0)*100. H0 represents the initial emulsion height and the height of visible serum separation layer (Ht).

List of ingredients and their proportions used in the control and other salad dressing samples with specific protein of interest were presented (Table 37).

TABLE 37 List of Ingredients. Control nOVD 9% rOVD 9% Ingredient % % % Canola oil 45 45 45 Water 43.4 33.4 33.1 Vinegar 9.6 9.6 9.6 Emulsifier 0 10 10.3 Salt 2 2 2 Total 100.0 100.0 100

Table 38 presents the emulsion stability of the dressings with storage time. Both nOVD and rOVD samples showed better emulsion stability compared to the Control sample that underwent phase separation during the first day of storage at 4 C. After Day 2, samples containing nOVD and rOVD did not exhibit much change in the emulsion phase separation. Higher values indicate lower emulsion stability.

TABLE 38 Results of emulsion stability Time sample Emulsion stability % Day 1 9% rOVD 17 9% nOVD 15 Control 44 Day 2 9% rOVD 29.4 9% nOVD 18.8 Control 48.2 Day 3 9% rOVD 26 9% nOVD 21.3 Control 47.2 Day 7 9% rOVD 26 9% nOVD 21.3 Control 48.2 Day 8 9% rOVD 27.6 9% nOVD 23.3 Control 49.1 Day 9 9% rOVD 25.6 9% nOVD 23.3 Control 49.1

Example 28: rOVD Egg Wash Formation

The film formation and sheen formation functionality of rOVD was evaluated in a bread application. Baking instructions:

-   -   a. In a small container, mix together yeast and sugar, and add         warm water (85-95 F). Let it sit for 5 min     -   b. Add the water in a mixing bowl     -   c. Slowly mix in flour (30 sec) until a firm dough is formed         (mix for 2 min on speed 3)     -   d. Knead dough (folding 7 times) on a lightly floured board for         30 sec, adding small sprinkles of flour only as needed     -   e. Place dough in a greased bowl. Flip dough over inside the         bowl so that the dough top is also lightly greased. Cover and         let rise for 45 minutes at 80 F proofing temperature (1st proof)     -   f. Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead out air (fold 7         times)     -   g. Shape into mini loaf and place in a greased mini pan     -   h. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes at room temperature (2nd         proof)     -   i. Apply appropriate wash on top of the dough balls at a 3%         level. (In case of sesame seed application, apply 10 sesame         seeds to each dough ball over the wash)     -   j. Bake at 350 F for 8 minutes or until golden brown (switch the         location of the bread at 4 min to achieve even baking on all         samples)     -   k. 3% wash of total bread dough weight was added on top. 25 g         samples each were used (total egg wash=0.75 g).     -   l. For samples with whole egg and commercial egg wash         substitute, 0.75 g of each sample was applied to the dough         surface.

The formulations used for protein of interest are shown in Table 39:

TABLE 39 List of Ingredients and their proportions used in egg wash formulation: Egg white powder rOVD Ingredients % % DI water 90.67 91.21 Film forming 9.33 8.79 agent

Retention of sesame seeds: Retention of any topping on cake, bread, bagels or other baked goods is an important factor for egg wash. Sesame seeds were used to evaluate the binding function of each film forming agent post baking. 10 sesame seeds were applied to each dough ball post the application of wash and before baking. Retention of these sesame seeds was calculated based on the amount of seeds stuck to the bread post baking.

The following results were obtained:

TABLE 40 Retention levels of sesame seeds Commercial Egg Negative egg wash white Samples Control substitute Whole egg protein rOVD Retention 0% 100% 100% 100% 100% level

The control sample with no egg wash had no binding capacity for the sesame seeds and zero sesame seeds were retained on the surface post baking. However, all other film-forming agents were able to retain all 10 seeds post baking suggesting a 100% retention rate for toppings.

Colorimetric assay: Individual sample pictures were analyzed for color data in the RGB spectrum using the Colorgrab application (Loomatix). Sample values were generated using a 2×2 cm cross-section taken from the center of the bread surface. RGB data was then converted to a CIELAB system using the online software www.colormine.org. CIELAB model is a color space system that expresses color in 3 values: L* for the lightness from black (0) to white (100) a* from green (−) to red (+) b* from blue (−) to yellow (+).

TABLE 42 CIELAB results for bread post baking L* a* b* Negative Control 63.669 1.10972 25.4527 Whole egg 62.255 8.39894 45.57611 Commercial egg wash 68.349 0.04763 34.7033 substitute Egg white protein 76.831 2.58977 31.1123 rOVD 83.591 4.58532 42.2485

rOVD and egg white protein samples had a higher L* value suggesting higher brightness or luminance. Control (no egg wash), commercial egg wash substitute and egg white protein samples had a low a* value suggesting lower redness or brownness as compared to Whole egg, and rOVD samples.

Whole egg wash and rOVD samples also had similar b* values, suggesting similar yellow hues as compared to the other samples.

Visual Inspection: The control sample looked pale, wrinkly and had no shine. The sample with egg-wash had good browning, great sheen and a smooth surface. The bake sheen sample had a smooth surface with a slight noticeable sheen. Egg white protein powder sample along with rOVD sample had a good sheen and browning.

rOVD worked well as a film forming and sheen forming agent. All the sesame seeds remained on the surface post browning suggesting good film forming and binding capabilities. The visual inspection and color values suggested good sheen formation and browning as compared to other samples (FIG. 22). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition comprising a recombinant ovomucoid protein (rOVD), wherein the rOVD comprises at least one glycosylated asparagine residue and the rOVD is substantially devoid of N-linked mannosylation, wherein the rOVD forms a clear solution at a concentration of from about 26% to about 30% w/v in an aqueous solution, at a pH of from about 2.5 to about 6, and at room temperature; and/or wherein a solution comprising the rOVD shows substantially higher solution clarity as compared to a whey protein solution at a concentration of 9% (w/v) in an aqueous solution, at a pH of from about 2 to about 6, and at the same temperature.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in powdered form.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the composition has a protein content of at least 50% rOVD protein w/w.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least 0.1% rOVD protein w/w.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein rOVD comprises a polypeptide represented by an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 1-44 or an amino acid sequence having at least 97% sequence identity with SEQ ID No. 1-44.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein rOVD is a chicken, turkey vulture, hummingbird, or goose rOVD.
 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the rOVD is expressed by a microbial organism selected from a Pichia species, a Saccharomyces species, a Trichoderma species, a Pseudomonas species, an Aspergillus species, and an E. coli species.
 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the microbial organism is a Pichia species.
 9. A beverage composition comprising the composition of claim 1 and at least one consumable liquid, wherein the rOVD forms a clear solution in the composition, and wherein the concentration of rOVD is from about 0.1% w/v to about 30% w/v in an aqueous solution, at a pH of from about 2.5 to about 6, and at room temperature.
 10. The beverage composition of claim 9, wherein the concentration of rOVD is about 10% w/v or less or about 20% w/v or less.
 11. The beverage composition of claim 10, wherein the beverage composition is substantially optically clear.
 12. The beverage composition of claim 9, wherein the beverage composition is selected from a cold beverage, a heated beverage, and a room-temperature beverage.
 13. The beverage composition of claim 9, wherein the rOVD in the beverage composition remains substantially soluble after a heat treatment to a temperature between about 72° C. and about 121° C.
 14. The beverage composition of claim 13, wherein the heat treatment is selected from hot fill, pasteurization, and retort.
 15. The beverage composition of claim 9, wherein the beverage composition has a pH of between about 2.0 and about 6.0.
 16. The beverage composition of claim 9, wherein the rOVD is substantially a full-length protein.
 17. The beverage composition of claim 9, wherein the beverage composition is a beverage selected from a juice, a broth, a soup, a soda, a soft drink, a flavored water, a protein water, a fortified water, a carbonated water, a nutritional drink, an energy drink, a sports drink, a recovery drink, a heated drink, a coffee-based drink, a tea-based drink, a plant-based milk, a milk based drink, a non-dairy drink, plant-based milk drink, an infant formula drink, and a meal replacement drink.
 18. The beverage composition of claim 9, further comprising a second protein, wherein the rOVD and the second protein together provide a protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of greater than about 0.85.
 19. The beverage composition of claim 18, wherein the second protein is an egg white lysozyme (OVL).
 20. The beverage composition of claim 19, wherein the ratio of rOVD to OVL is between about 60% rOVD:40% OVL and about 82% rOVD:18% OVL. 